Comprehensive Climate Legislation in the US this Spring?

Buoyed by President Obama's commitment to address climate change in his second term, leading Democrats are pushing for comprehensive climate legislation. In his State of the Union address President Obama called on Congress to pass a "market-based" climate measure and then promised to exercise his executive authority if lawmakers fail to act. On Valentines Day, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) indicated that she hopes to bring climate legislation to floor by the summer of 2013. “We’re going to go in earnest to this topic and this bill," she said. As the Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Boxer stated her intent to bring a comprehensive climate bill to a vote within the next few months.

Boxer's Climate Change Caucus Breeds Hope for Legislation on Emissions Reduction

Although very few believe that the US will pass legislation that addresses global warming there is a glimmer of hope appearing on the horizon. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said on December 11th, that she’s forming a climate change caucus. This move suggests that Democrats may be preparing the way for legislation that addresses greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Boxer believes that extreme weather, particularly Hurricane Sandy has helped Americans to understand the urgency of addressing climate change. As reported in The Hill, Boxer said: