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Senate climate and clean energy bill introduced

Senators John Kerry and Joe Liebermann introduced their climate and energy bill on Wednesday. It is a much less-ambitious effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than Waxman-Markey bill passed by the House and relies more on nuclear energy than alternative sources. It does contain a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions. The bill was altered a bit by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, while it still encourages off-shore drilling for oil, it would allow states to prohibit drilling within 75 miles of their shoreline.

President Obama applauded the legislation saying it will put America on the path to a clean energy economy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect the environment for our children and grandchildren.

National Corn Growers Association president, Darrin Ihnen says his organization will conduct an analysis of the bill and wait for the EPA analysis as well before taking a stand on it. Ihnen did add that “NCGA looks forward to working with the Senate as the bill moves forward.”

National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson praised the bill saying it continues down the path of providing agriculture the opportunity to play a positive role in addressing climate and energy needs.

American Farm Bureau president Bob Stallman says his organization will evaluate the plan but they do have some concerns: “about the economic impact on farmers and ranchers because of potentially higher fertilizer and energy costs.” He says they are also concerned with the absence of renewable electricity standards in the bill.