Pickens: price on carbon not essential

http://energytopic.nationaljournal.com/2010/05/pickens-price-on.php


Another person that DU and Dems acclaimed without looking at the reality of the man. (happens too often, and is happening against with Crist).

I somehow doubt that the climate bill will pass as, after the oil leak, it will be difficult to get some Dems on board on the bill (and I totally agree), but so much for Pickens endorsing the Climate bill. The main element is not important for him.

What this shows with Pickens - and likely with Graham - is that they will be happy to have this fracture into what will be an energy only bill.

As it was many though Kerry (and maybe Lieberman) had already given more than they should have to get the price on carbon. As you say, that was the main element. Kerry spoke of the deals taking him and others out of their zone of comfort. I assume in Kerry's case it was the off shore drilling and the nuclear plants. If they form the basis of the bill and there is no serious limitations on carbon, this is a bill that will kill efforts to legislate anything for climate change. At that point, I hope Kerry leads the effort NOT to restrain EPA or the states. (I don't know how hard Obama would fight for that himself - Remember that he voted for the energy bill that Kerry voted against.)

I can see why Kerry argued that actions for climate change could simultaneously work to achieve energy independence. Together (and with Kerry's additional goals) they made a compelling argument, though obviously not for enough people. The goal of the carbon price was obviously to reduce carbon. Long term that does lead to energy independence, but the primary goal is lower carbon emmisions. Pickens changes the goal to energy independence and with that goal in the short term he could be right- if oil, from any source, replaced coal, it lowers the carbon emissions.

passed. It won't be what everybody wants, but it will contain good elements and represent a major step forward.

and perhaps wind energy (although that went sour for him). He did endorse the whole bill, though. John Kerry said so on Twitter.

However, it is all moot. There isn't going to be a climate bill. The coalition is falling apart:

http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/05/senators-pledge-filibuster-climate-bill-drilling