Climate Change Bill Inches Closer to Passage, Maybe

A controversial U.S. Senate climate change bill passed the Environment and Public Works Committee Thursday. But it's likely to have a long way to go toward the final passage by the full Senate.

Of course, it's not a surprise that there would be lots of political wrangling over a bill that aims to cut emissions by requiring businesses to pay for some of the pollution they generate. It also contains provisions to support nuclear power, another touchy subject

The bill, sponsored by Sens. John Kerry and Barbara Boxer, passed the committee without any Republican support. Republicans demanded more fiscal analysis of the bill, and Boxer, who chairs the committee, said no.

Boxer didn't need the Republicans' votes to move the bill out of the committee – she only needed a simple majority to pass the legislation.

One of the Democrats also voted no. Sen. Max Baucus said the goal of cutting emissions by 20 percent by 2020 was overly ambitious.

Baucus chairs the Finance Committee, which will soon take its turn to shape the bill. He wants 17 percent instead, but would include language that would push the goal to 20 percent if other countries also agree to cut emissions.

The House passed its climate change bill in June. The bill sets a 17 percent goal for cutting emissions. It also includes a mandate that 20 percent of the country's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.