Is Senate Energy Bill a Cap-and-Trade Cop-Out?

The Gulf oil geyser may be stopped, along with a lot of drilling rigs. Gas prices remain unpleasantly high. And it is very, very hot in Washington—the real heat, not the political kind. Maybe it’s time to talk about fixing our energy problems? Last week, the Senate’s Democratic leadership pulled the plug on a comprehensive energy and climate bill that included controversial measures to cut carbon emissions with a cap-and-trade system. Instead, the Senate will take up a modest measure dealing with tougher offshore-drilling regulations, rebates for home-energy conservation measures, incentives for natural gas-fueled vehicles, and other politically safe elements. A smart move or a cop-out? What do you think? Leave your comments below.

• Check out our roundup of editorial cartoons on global warming.
• See which members of Congress get money from the electric utilities industry.
• See a slide show of a reality check on U.S. energy sources.

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