Utility-Only Negotiations ‘Very Productive’

A source with an environmental group participating in a series of meetings with electric utilities on climate and energy legislation says discussions “feel very productive at this point,” adding that the two sides are “finding a lot of agreement” in their negotiations on a utility-only cap on greenhouse gas emissions. The source would not go into specific details about the discussions because the negotiations are very sensitive.

It remains to be seen whether the negotiations will be productive enough to secure passage of a bill with a utility-only cap. The effort represents environmentalists’ last chance to garner support for a utility-only cap before Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) brings a climate and energy bill to the floor the week of July 26. If they can come to a compromise with major electric utilities, it will be much easier for Democrats to sell the proposal to fence-sitting Republicans.