A Utility Only Carbon Emissions Bill

The Washington Independent has posted some slides from a PowerPoint presentation on a utility-only carbon emissions bill proposed by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) with Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). The bill would reduce CO2 emissions from utilities by 17 percent by 2020, 42 percent by 2030, and 50 percent by 2035: Coal power would flatten out and start to decline in about 15 years: A very rough discussion draft of the bill can be read here. The dilemma for environmentalists is whether half a loaf is worth supporting given that a full loaf may not be available this year or next.