U.S. Starts Setting Itself Some Standards

A 684 page carbon cutting legislation called the American Clean Energy and Security Act kicked off the long anticipated battle over climate change for the United States. The U.S. Congress included energy policy changes, ranging from a mandate that 25 percent of U.S. electricity come from renewable sources by 2025 to energy efficient codes for new buildings.

The most controversial aspect of the bill is its proposal to place a price on carbon and other climate changing gases by implementing a cap - and - trade system. The program would require any business that emits more than 25,000 tons of greenhouse gases per year, such as oil companies, electric utilities or large industrial plants, to buy federal share or allowance.

"This legislation will create millions of clean energy jobs, put America on the path to energy independence and cut global warming pollution," said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman. Climate Science