Senate Will Temporarily Shelve Big Energy Bill

By Linn Grubbstrom - Talk Radio News Service

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), alongside Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and White House energy chief Carol Browner, announced that he will introduce a slimmed-down energy package next week.

Reid said that while Kerry and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) continue to look for support for their bill from utilities and other lawmakers, he will bring forth a series of measures involving oil spill response provisions and moderate energy proposals aimed at attracting bipartisan support.

While the announcement is being viewed as a setback to many who support climate legislation, Kerry said he remains optimistic. He compared the situation to healthcare reform, a landmark bill that took years to pass.

“This is not going to take that long,” promised Kerry. “It is not going to take close to that long.”

Kerry, however, admitted that getting Republicans to support his bill could take “months.”

In the meantime, Kerry said he supports efforts in the Senate to crack down on the oil industry.