Breaking: Senate EPW panel won’t take up climate bill until September — Boxer

Greenwire (subs. req’d) reports:

Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer said today that she would delay until September the markup of a comprehensive global warming bill.

The California Democrat told reporters that many senators are focused this month on health care reform legislation, prompting the delay from her original plan to hold a vote before the August recess.

“We don’t have to rush it through,” Boxer said. “We’ll do it as soon as we get back, and we’ll have it at the desk when Harry wants it, when the leader wants it.”

Boxer was referring to the new Sept. 28 deadline set by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for all six Senate committees to complete work on the climate bill. Senate Democrats are still trying to pass the climate legislation before December, when U.N. climate negotiations continue in Copenhagen. But sponsors face an uphill climb to win over 60 votes, given steady opposition from Republicans and moderate and conservative Democrats.

No question about that.  I’ll post the Senate fence-sitters discussion shortly.

As I’ve always said, this bill is not going to make it to Obama’s desk this year — nor should it.  Right now, it’s not even clear the Senate will pass its version this year, although it probably will.  Boxer notes:

Asked if the change in markup plans threatens prospects for Senate passage this year, Boxer replied, “We’ll be in until Christmas, so I’m not worried about it.”

Boxer also said she would probably wait until September to release her climate legislation, a change from the schedule that her aides said could entail a bill out within the next two weeks.

As for legislative details, Boxer said the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Finance Committee would write provisions detailing distribution of valuable emission allowances.

“At the end of the day, as you know, all the bills will be merged,” Boxer said.

Reid has said he wants to hold a climate debate on the floor by October, though he is also juggling health care and federal appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

I’m not certain why the debate needs to be held by October.  Probably the most important thing is that Obama announced some sort of China deal first and do some major barnstorming including a prime time speech.