Senate Democrats indicated that they would wait until the fall to take up the climate-change legislation. 
Breathing new life into the remote chances of trying to pass the legislation prior to the fall elections, Senate Democrats are setting the stage for a political fight before November. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he plans to bring up a narrower energy bill next week that would revamp offshore oil drilling rules in the wake of the BP oil spill. Some Democrats hoped to attach climate legislation to that bill with the hope of attracting Republican support. But Reid said he could not get any Republicans to back a comprehensive energy bill that would include climate provisions like caps on carbon emissions or mandates for power companies to generate more alternative energy. The scaled-back energy bill, which Democrats hope to pass before leaving town for the August recess, would promote natural-gas vehicles in a bid to cut oil imports. It also would promote energy-efficient houses and businesses, Reid said. President Obama has made action on climate change a priority and the House of Representatives approved a wide-ranging bill last year. But lawmakers and environmentalists are increasingly doubtful a comprehensive bill can pass the Senate this year. If Republicans make gains in the elections, the effort could be stalled for some time. Obama is now pushing the Environmental Protection Agency to take unilateral action if Congress fails to pass a bill. The EPA has begun issuing rules to cut emissions from cars and requiring power plants to have permits to emit carbon dioxide. But, the rules EPA is issuing are being challenged by industry. Certain energy player like, Duke Energy, have supported the climate bill. They want this issue settled soon so that they could move forward and make the necessary investments in new low carbon producing plants. Write your Senator and urge them to reconsider the climate change legislation. Tthe U.S. needs to lead on this issue now.
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