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US House supports emissions bill | US House supports emissions bill |
(20 minutes later) | |
The US House of Representatives has passed a climate change bill aimed at reducing the country's emissions. | The US House of Representatives has passed a climate change bill aimed at reducing the country's emissions. |
The legislation will put curbs on pollution and apply market principles to attempts to tackle global warming. | The legislation will put curbs on pollution and apply market principles to attempts to tackle global warming. |
It was passed by a narrow margin of 219 votes to 212. President Barack Obama said the vote represented "enormous progress". | It was passed by a narrow margin of 219 votes to 212. President Barack Obama said the vote represented "enormous progress". |
But the bill still has to be passed by the US Senate before it can become law, and it faces another tough fight. | But the bill still has to be passed by the US Senate before it can become law, and it faces another tough fight. |
"Today the House of Representatives took historic action with the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act," Mr Obama said after the vote. | "Today the House of Representatives took historic action with the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act," Mr Obama said after the vote. |
"It's a bold and necessary step that holds the promise of creating new industries and millions of new jobs, decreasing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil." | "It's a bold and necessary step that holds the promise of creating new industries and millions of new jobs, decreasing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil." |
'Job-killing bill' | 'Job-killing bill' |
Correspondents say the bill was passed after a long and heated session. | Correspondents say the bill was passed after a long and heated session. |
US CLIMATE BILL Bill aims to cut emissions by 17% below the level in 2005 by 2020, then by 83% by 2050Imposes national limits and requires polluters to acquire emissions permitsPermits are either free (85%) or bought at auction (15%) Permits can be traded, allowing major polluters to offset surplus emissions | |
It seeks to cut emissions from 2005 levels by 17% by 2020, introduce a carbon trading system and and force a shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources. | It seeks to cut emissions from 2005 levels by 17% by 2020, introduce a carbon trading system and and force a shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources. |
Supporters say it will create a new "green" industry, boosting jobs and innovation, and reduce US dependence on foreign oil. | Supporters say it will create a new "green" industry, boosting jobs and innovation, and reduce US dependence on foreign oil. |
But opponents of the bill, both Republicans and Democrats, say it will lead to massive job losses in the US and impose greater taxes on every American. | But opponents of the bill, both Republicans and Democrats, say it will lead to massive job losses in the US and impose greater taxes on every American. |
Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner said energy costs would soar, and called the legislation "the biggest job-killing bill that has ever been on the floor of the House". | Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner said energy costs would soar, and called the legislation "the biggest job-killing bill that has ever been on the floor of the House". |
The battle now moves to the Senate, where correspondents say it will face a rough ride. It is not yet clear when the Senate might debate the bill. | The battle now moves to the Senate, where correspondents say it will face a rough ride. It is not yet clear when the Senate might debate the bill. |
The legislation has been widely supported by environmentalists but there are concerns that it will not go far enough towards addressing climate change. | The legislation has been widely supported by environmentalists but there are concerns that it will not go far enough towards addressing climate change. |