House narrowly passes climate bill

WASHINGTON -- In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed sweeping legislation yesterday that calls for the nation's first limits on pollution linked to global warming.

The vote was 219-212, capping months of negotiations and days of intense bargaining among Democrats.

Republicans were overwhelmingly against the measure, arguing it would destroy jobs in the midst of a recession while burdening consumers with a new tax in the form of higher energy costs.

The House's action fulfilled Speaker Nancy Pelosi's vow to clear major energy legislation before July 4.

It also sent the measure to a highly uncertain fate in the Senate, where Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he was "hopeful that the Senate will be able to debate and pass bipartisan and comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this fall."

The bill's controversial nature was on display in the House, where only eight Republicans joined 211 Democrats in favor, while 44 Democrats joined 168 Republicans in opposition.

Obama lobbied recalcitrant Democrats by phone from the White House as the House debate unfolded.

On the House floor, Democrats hailed the legislation as historic, while Republicans said it would damage the economy without solving the nation's energy woes.

The legislation would require the U.S. to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 and by about 80 percent by mid-century. That was slightly more aggressive than Obama originally wanted -- 14 percent by 2020 and the same 80 percent by mid-century.

U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are rising at about 1 percent a year and are predicted to continue increasing without mandatory limits.

Under the bill, the government would limit heat-trapping pollution from factories, refineries and power plants and issue allowances for polluters. In a major concession to energy companies and their allies in the House, most of the allowances would be given away. But about 15 percent would be auctioned by bid and the proceeds used to defray higher energy costs for lower-income individuals and families.