More on Utilities Supporting Climate Change Bill

In a sign that US electricity companies are recognising that the Democratic-controlled Congress will seek to impose aggressive climate change initiatives, six companies, including Exelon, one of the largest utility companies, on Wednesday endorsed a bill that would reduce their projected emissions by 25 per cent below projected levels by 2020.

As Eric mentions below, the six companies are Entergy, Exelon, Florida Power & Light, Pacific Gas and Electric, Public Service Enterprise Group and Calpine. The bill, sponsored by Senators Feinstein and Carper, features a cap-and-trade mechanism for carbon emissions which is opposed by the White House, among others.

The MSNBC quotes critics that say

the six companies have a comparative advantage over rival power companies, in that they are less dependent on creating power from coal and have been more active in moving to nuclear power and wind power.

Feinstein says that this bill is one of several intended to address global warming. Others will include provisions to raise fuel economy standards by 10 miles per gallon and to create an industrial cap-and-trade system.

Hmmm...I wonder what kind of effect separating emissions control into at least three (electricity generation, transportation and industrial operations) distinct bills will have.

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NEI Nuclear Notes

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