"Climate change activists reacted sharply yesterday to indications from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) that cap-and-trade legislation may have to wait until 2010, warning that the delay could derail international negotiations in Copenhagen.
Annie Petsonk, international counsel for Environmental Defense Fund, said she fears the U.N. talks slated for December will flounder without a clear plan from President Obama to move climate legislation through Congress.
'The appearance to the international community would be that the U.S. Congress is just adrift,' she said.
Jake Schmidt, international climate policy director for Natural Resources Defense Council, said State Department negotiators need domestic legislation in order to convince China and other developing countries that the United States is prepared to act -- and to push those countries in turn to make emissions-cutting commitments."
Lisa Friedman reports for ClimateWire in the New York Times September 16, 2009.
See Also:
"2010? Reid's Comments Add Uncertainty to Climate Vote's Timing" (ClimateWite)
"Climate Bill Drifts Into a Potomac Fog" (ClimateWire)
"Obama Administration Pushes Climate Talks Into 2010" (ClimateWire)
"Suddenly, a Few Reasons To Be Optimistic About Copenhagen" (Grist)
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