Let's do a climate bill right, rather than do it quickly

Today, I sat down with E&ETV's "OnPoint" program to tape a segment that will air tomorrow. (Watch the show online.)

In the interview, I was asked about the timing for the Senate’s consideration of climate legislation. What I said was that I thought that it would depend upon how negotiations went (especially with the key moderate Democrats who are from coal states) and how the calendar worked with scheduling health care and other votes.

Here are some additional thoughts:

There were several press reports leading up to the House consideration saying that sponsors of the bill brought the measure to the floor when they did because public support for climate legislation was fading fast.

I wish I had pointed out that public support for emissions reductions will really sink if we pass a bill that doesn’t guarantee that our economy and consumers are protected from higher energy costs.

I’m sorry, but this is VERY important legislation. In our view, it is more important to do a bill right … than to do it quickly.

That said, we support the timely adoption of bill that ensures access to affordable, reliable energy, protects existing jobs (and creates new ones), promotes greater energy independence, and brings new technologies to the marketplace to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector both here in the U.S. and around the world (through successful technology transfer).

And we’re looking forward to working with the leaders in the Senate, others on Capital Hill and in the administration in support of this type of policy.