It’s been all hands on deck for supporters of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). A vote on the climate change and energy legislation by the full House is scheduled for tomorrow amidst growing concern from the White House that momentum for the bill is slipping away.
At last count, even with the deal brokered on Tuesday evening with Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), the bill’s sponsors –Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) – were still short 35 votes — out of the 218 needed — to pass the climate legislation.
In a press conference, his second this week, President Obama pressed for passage of ACES, saying it was not just a climate change and energy bill but also a “a jobs bill” that could help create millions of green collar jobs.
The night before, former Vice President Al Gore also pitched in, speaking at a conference call — (he also posted a video message on YouTube ) — organized by his Repower America organization, he told participants that the vote on Friday would be “very tight.” He said passing ACES would boost chances that the Senate will approve a parallel energy bill:
“This is the moment! If we can pass this legislation in the House of Representatives this week, then we will go to the Senate with a broad coalition and a far greater chance [for climate change legislation to be signed into law] than anyone ever would have thought was possible just a few short months ago.”
Gore said the bill was not perfect and that “more needed to be done,” but it was a “historic first step.”
The blogosphere/ Twittersphere (Twitter search: #ACES) is also ablaze, with voices both for and against ACES. Those against, also see here, say the legislation is too expensive and a “terrible deal for tax payers.” Supporters say the bill — however watered down — secures significant carbon cuts below 1990 levels by 2020.
