Graham says capping carbon output essential to passing climate bill

Comprehensive climate change legislation can't get the votes to pass in the Senate without a cap on carbon emissions, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Thursday.

Graham, one of the three Senate negotiators on a compromise climate bill, said that lawmakers could advance a cap on carbon emissions, but not the cap-and-trade system that's been proposed in Congress and passed by the House.

"Cap and trade to regulate to regulate carbon is not going to work," Graham said during an appearance on the Keith Larson radio show. "And at another time, I'll tell you a way to price carbon that will create energy independence and a green economy: You can cap carbon without doing the cap and trade bill."

Graham has been working with Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) on a compromise climate change bill after it became that the cap-and-trade bill wouldn't have enough votes to pass in the Senate, where 60 votes would be needed to end debate on any bill, and move to a final vote.

The crux of the compromise bill would see carbon emissions regulated somehow, in exchange for expanded use of nuclear energy and limited permission for new, offshore drilling. Graham said that some sort of limit on carbon was essential to passing such legislation.

"If you don't price it, you're never going to have the opportunity to have alternative energy," he said.

"The only way I get drilling and nuclear power...is to put a price on carbon," he added. "That gets me the votes I need, and I think that's a good thing."