US climate bill stalls as midterms approach

Lacking bipartisan support, Congress failed to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation this past year.

Although the prevailing Republican platform opposes a national cap-and-trade energy system, President Obama reiterated that passing energy and climate legislation remains a top priority, noting that issues may need to be addressed individually until a national agreement.

Although legislation has not been passed, the EPA will still begin regulating GHGs in 2011 to ensure industries are meeting the demands of the Clean Air Act, including using the best available control technologies (bact).

While Sen. Jay Rockefeller plans to sponsor a bill to postpone EPA authority, President Obama has ensured he would veto any such bill.