By Debra DeHaney-Howard
June 16, 2008

After several days of sometimes contentious deliberations last week, the U.S. Senate failed to advance much beyond debate on a pending “cap and trade” climate protection bill, a measure that for the first time would have established a comprehensive federal framework for reducing the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 percent by 2050. To achieve these goals, the package relied on a broad range of federal policy changes as well as financial commitments to technology development, local and state governmental initiatives and other activities.

On a 48-36 vote, well short of the required 60-senator majority needed to move the bill forward beyond debate, Senate proponents conceded that the legislation (S. 3036) would not move toward final action during the 110th Congress. Especially important to the nation’s mayors, the pending legislation committed $136 billion through 2050 in funding resources for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, the Conference’s top legislative priority for the 110th Congress. Further action in the Senate will resume next year after the 111th Congress convenes.

In comments after the June 6 vote fell short, Senator Barbara Boxer (CA), Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, indicated that although all Senators were not present for the vote, 54 including several Republican Senators had supported the bill, up from 38 in 2005. “Today’s vote is a landmark moment in the fight against global warming. We had 54 Senators come down on the side of tackling this crucial issue now – because it is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. This strong vote is up from 38 votes in 2005, and proves that our nation is ready to assume the mantle of leadership on global warming,” Boxer said.

Despite the setback, Boxer remains optimistic about the future. “What is extraordinary is that both Presidential candidates weighed in, in favor of addressing this issue now. Therefore, as Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues to address their concerns as we anxiously await the inauguration of a President who will work with us to protect our planet and our people from the ravages of global warming.”

In his comments on the Senate action, Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer praised the work of key Senators on the legislation. “We commend the bipartisan group of leaders including Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer (CA), and Senators Joseph Lieberman (CT) and John Warner (VA), among others, and we stand behind them in their efforts to initiate and drive this critical piece of legislation that addresses one of the most important issues facing our nation today.”

“The nation’s mayors are disappointed that the U.S. Senate is unwilling to move beyond initial debate on needed federal climate legislation to position America to do its part to combat the global threat of climate change. But the fact that the proposed legislation included critical funding support for an Energy Block Grant for cities, proves that Congressional leaders truly understand that real change is happening in our nation’s cities,” Palmer added.

Senator James Inhofe (OK), the Ranking Minority Member on Boxer’s panel and a strong critic of federal action on climate change, said, “This bill was doomed from the start. The committee process was short-circuited, the floor debate was circumvented and the amendment process was derailed. I do not see how the Democrats use this failed bill as any kind of model for future success.”

In addition to substantial new funding commitments to support the EECBG program, the Senate bill would have provided $800 billion in tax relief through 2050 to assist consumers with future energy costs, provided $171 billion for public transportation investment, $190 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training and Climate Change Worker Assistance programs, $51 billion for the construction of new energy efficient buildings and the retrofit of existing buildings as well as $68 billion to help auto manufacturers retool facilities with advanced vehicle technology (e.g., hybrids, plug-ins fuel cell vehicles, advanced light duty diesel, and electric cars).

“The nation’s mayors will continue to support our Senators every step of the way, to ensure that sound federal legislation is passed to support the thousands of local projects already underway in cities, and to protect the future of our planet and help curb energy dependence in America,” said Conference Executive Director and CEO Tom Cochran.