The prospects for approval of a climate change bill in 2010 appeared slim due to the reluctance of most Republican senators to vote for such legislation ahead of the November elections, National Journal [subscription required] reported. Democrats will likely need votes from up to 10 Republicans--however, only Sens. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., were expected to consider bolting the party line and backing the legislation.
Former deputy Energy Secretary Linda Stuntz said that unless Republicans accept the need to work with Democrats on a bill and lawmakers seeks to present voters with accomplishments, "I don't see how anything comes together."
Many environmentalists and companies were pressing for passage of a bill. EEI and the Electric Power Supply Association still have shown a reluctance to back GHG emissions limits solely for the utility sector. EPSA and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association said they may be willing to later support the proposal depending on the shape of the broader climate bill.
Bipartisan Policy Center president Jason Grumet observed: "There's a growing acceptance that we're all going to have to be much more creative and more flexible in designing climate legislation if we want to see it passed this year."
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