Sen. Ben Nelson says he won't support a vote later this month to begin debate on a bill that caps utility emissions. Nelson says no to climate vote

Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska said Thursday he would not support a procedural vote later this month to begin debate on a climate bill that includes a cap on electric utility emissions, a declaration that underscores the tough climb that Majority Leader Harry Reid will have in trying to cobble together a 60-vote supermajority on the controversial issue.

“A carbon tax or trade piece would significantly increase the utility rates in Nebraska for businesses, agriculture and individuals,” the Nebraska Democrat told POLITICO. “I don’t think that’s an appropriate way to go. And while I’d usually vote for a motion to proceed, this is so extraordinary, that I just can’t bring myself to do that.”


Nelson has long been known as an opponent of proposals for tackling greenhouse gases with a cap-and-trade plan. But his opposition to the procedural vote stands out given party discipline that at least allows the majority leader to take a bill up on the floor. Environmentalists tracking the debate said earlier this week that they expect most Democrats will vote for the motion to proceed out of deference to Reid and President Barack Obama.

In 2008, Nelson voted for the motion to proceed on an economy-wide climate bill authored by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), John Warner (R-Va.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). The procedural vote — 74-14 — included 32 Republicans who saw the floor debate as an opportunity to criticize Democrats for supporting a measure that would increase gasoline prices.

Several other senators are holding their cards close on how they’d vote on the procedural question on the next climate bill.

“I’ll wait to see what the leadership position is before I make a decision on what I’d do,” said Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), who voted for the motion to proceed in 2008 alongside long-time GOP climate opponents Kit Bond of Missouri, John Cornyn of Texas and David Vitter of Louisiana.

Reid told reporters on Tuesday that he was aiming to begin floor debate on the climate and energy bill as soon as the week of July 26. The legislation is expected to come in four parts: an oil spill response; a clean-energy and job-creation title based on work done in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; a tax package from the Senate Finance Committee; and a section that deals with greenhouse gas emissions from the electric utility industry.

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