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Mar 16, 2007 11:25 AM

A version of proposed legislation to be considered in a Senate committee would lead to lower overall carbon emissions and will place a greater value on carbon cuts, said Sen Jeff Bingaman (Democrat-NM).

He also emphasized that any federal standard limiting carbon emissions should supersede any state-developed standards. The senator made the remarks at the Platts Energy Podium March 12 in Washington DC. "I believe strongly as I have for sometime that we need to have a long-term policy to curb greenhouse gases without dampening our economic growth in the process," Bingaman said.

Improving the environment by reducing greenhouse gases is a key legislative issues being discussed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, he said. However, he added that President Bush's call for substantial increases in biofuel production and use by 2017 needs to be studied to determine how much of that goal can be accomplished realistically. Democrats on the committee have indicated their support for a 15 percent renewable energy requirement or portfolio standard, but details on how to properly encourage smart grid development and implement tougher energy efficiency standards for buildings, lighting, and appliances have yet to take shape.