Concessions in Cap and Trade Bill Boost Nuclear Power, Offshore Oil Drilling

Interview with author and activist Harvey Wasserman, conducted by Scott Harris

The announcement at the Oct. 19th Washington D.C. press conference was unexpected: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a staunch opponent of cap and trade legislation designed to reduce carbon emissions which cause global warming, had switched sides and now supported the bill. But, alas the declaration turned out to be a hoax orchestrated by the political tricksters the Yes Men, staged to promote government regulation to reverse climate change and expose corporate greed.

But the hoax may not have been too far off from reality, given the erosion of the cap-and-trade bill being negotiated by Sen. John Kerry of D-Mass. and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The two legislators are working to offer major concessions in the bill to pacify the energy industry that they hope will attract bi-partisan support. The proposed legislation would mandate regulations to reduce carbon emissions by refineries and manufacturers tied to government incentives to build more nuclear power plants and expand offshore oil drilling.

President Obama is anxious to get the cap-and-trade bill passed in Congress before he attends the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen this December. Between The Lines’ Scott Harris spoke with author and energy activist Harvey Wasserman, who takes a critical look at what he believes is a sell-out of the basic principles of the cap-and-trade climate change bill.

Harvey Wasserman is author of "Solartopia! Our Green-Powered Earth, A.D. 2030." Read his recent article online at "Is the climate bill being fossil/nuked?"

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"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories and interviews with activists and journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national and regional political, economic and social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics and to check out our text archive listing topics and guests presented in previous programs visit: www.btlonline.org
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