Dingell Set to Tackle Global Warming

House leaders say that Rep. John Dingell, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will likely push through a new global warming bill this spring, presenting the administration with a new battle over the environment and energy policy.

The top House leadership sources, who refused to provide details of what's being considered, hinted that it would likely be tied to energy legislation that promotes clean coal usage and nuclear fuel. Dingell has been quoted earlier suggesting that passage of a global warming bill in a presidential election year is unlikely. The key Senate committee has approved such a bill, but the full Senate hasn't voted on it.

Lawmakers on both sides say that the issue will top the agenda this year, but there are so many differences on what's expected to be proposed and among those who believe that warming is a problem that it remains iffy any package will be OK'd, said a Democratic official.

—Paul Bedard