WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A compromise bill to reduce U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases blamed for global warming will be unveiled by a group of senators on April 26, according to a source.
The legislative language to be sketched out in 11 days is being drafted by Democratic Senator John Kerry, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman.
The three senators have been working for months on the global warming measure, trying to include enough pro-industry incentives to attract the support of at least some Republicans, who are essential to passage.
Besides setting a target of 17 percent reductions in smokestack emissions of carbon dioxide by 2020, from 2005 levels, Kerry, Lieberman and Graham are writing a bill that would expand domestic offshore oil drilling and construction of new nuclear power facilities.
Both provisions, sought by Graham and other Republicans, could jeopardize support from some liberal Democrats, however.
On Wednesday, Reuters was told by a Senate source the legislation would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon dioxide emissions. It also would end state and regional carbon-trading programs, such as the one several northeastern states now participate in, to be replaced by a national carbon-reduction policy.
Once the senators sketch out their bill on April 26, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid will decide the next steps in a year crowded with other competing legislative priorities and looming congressional elections in November.
(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Eric Beech)
