What Issues Will Capitol Hill Conquer Next?
Friday, January 19, 2007SUSIE GHARIB: On Capitol Hill tonight, the big question is what now? House Democrats have wrapped up their big legislative push for the first 100 hours of the session, passing energy and minimum wage bills, among others. So where do they go from here? As Stephanie Dhue reports, it appears global warming and energy independence will now take center stage.
STEPHANIE DHUE, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT CORRESPONDENT: Speaking at the National Press Club, congressional leaders made a preemptive strike today ahead of the president's state of the union address next week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she hopes the president will work with them on energy and environmental goals.
NANCY PELOSI, HOUSE SPEAKER: But we cannot afford to wait. Therefore, with openness and the participation of all parts of our democracy, we will pass groundbreaking legislation that addresses global warming and energy independence.
DHUE: There may be some common ground. President Bush is expected to propose renewable energy solutions to climate change in his speech Tuesday night. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Congress is already focused on renewable power from sun, wind, and biofuels.
SEN. HARRY REID, MAJORITY LEADER: We are oil hogs here in America and we've got to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and it can only be done by recognizing we can't produce our way out of our problems and we have to move to alternative energy sources.
DHUE: But the goals of increasing energy security and reducing emissions can be at odds, says Jason Grumet, with the National Commission on Energy Policy.
JASON GRUMET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL COMMISSION ON ENERGY: In fact, almost everything that's good for climate change is also good for energy security. The inverse is not always true. In particular, if we rely on our tremendous coal resources to make diesel fuel, that would be good for energy security but disastrous for climate change.
DHUE: Already in the works on Capitol Hill are several climate change bills that would cap industrial carbon dioxide emissions. That's an approach companies from GE to BP have already embraced. With several states and local governments imposing their own emissions limits, Grumet says many businesses are now endorsing Federal action.
GRUMET: They want to have a role in designing what happens, not be on the outside complaining and basically being handed a set of goods that they had nothing to do with.
DHUE: On Monday, some of the nation's biggest companies will weigh in on what happens, announcing their recommendations to quickly address global warming. Stephanie Dhue, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT, Washington.
