I was going to write a diary about Obama's announcement on CAFE standards for tomorrow, but I noticed it was very thorougly diaried by MysticLaker.
So what I have here instead is a LiveBlog of the House Energy Committee markup found live on CSPAN-3.
And the diary name, "Death By Amendment(x450)" Comes from the 450 poison pill amendments republicans plan on offering to kill this important legislation.
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POLITICO:
Republicans in the House Energy and Commerce committee are considering introducing about 450 amendments during the mark-up of climate change legislation next week, according to a working list obtained by POLITICO. Many of the potential amendments would lower the environmental standards set forth in the bill, or could make it more difficult for Democrats to vote to support it.
[snip]
Waxman, the chairman of the committee, has spent months negotiating a deal with southern and Midwestern Democrats who fear the new regulations capping greenhouse gases could hurt businesses and consumers at homes. On Thursday, Virginia Rep. Rich Boucher – who’s acted as a lead negotiator for skeptical Democrats – endorsed the bill, a signal that it could have enough support to pass the committee.
But Republicans plan to wage a fierce fight for wavering Democrats. They plan to introduce amendments covering a huge swath of issues from lowering the emissions targets and renewable electricity standard included in the bill to making the controversial Yucca Mountain in Nevada a storage facility for carbon capture and sequestration waste.
1:10 - Opening statement from Rep. Henry Waxman
1:16 - Opening statement from Rep. Joe Barton
1:20 - Opening statement from Rep. Edward Markey
H.R. 2454 Info Tidbits:
- Aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17% by 2020 & invest in renewable energy sources.
- companies that reduce emissions may sell extra permits to companies who exceed limits.
- Emissions credits or "allowances" will be given to industries & states to help lower energy costs.