GOP win puts the brakes on energy, climate bills

[kristopher]

GOP win puts the brakes on energy, climate bills
By JENNIFER A. DLOUHY Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
Nov. 3, 2010, 7:46PM

BITE-SIZED CHUNKS OF ENERGY

Republicans and Democrats agree the election killed chances of Congress passing broad proposals on global warming and to put new limits on offshore drilling. But President Barack Obama and leaders of both parties say they can tackle energy policy in bite-sized chunks. A look at key issues that could still advance:
• Natural gas: Proposals endorsed by Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens ...
• Electric vehicles: Pending legislation would create a $400 million program ...
• Clean energy mandate: Proposals for a renewable energy standard would require utilities to derive more power from the wind, sun and other easily replenished sources. Republicans want to expand sources that would qualify so nuclear power, geothermal energy and hydropower also count.
• Nuclear power: Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., has advanced a plan to build 100 new nuclear power plants in the next 20 years.
• Clean coal: Lawmakers could allow "clean coal" to count toward that clean energy mandate, which would give a boost to efforts to develop and commercialize technology to trap emissions released when coal is burned for power.


WASHINGTON — The election that put Republicans in control of the House and weakened Democrats' hold on the Senate also slammed the door on sweeping energy, oil spill and climate change legislation for at least the next two years.

But political leaders ...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/energy/7278169.html