Boxer calls Obama's emissions target "credible"

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) had kind words today for the 2020 emissions target the U.S. will offer in Copenhagen next month, even though it's less ambitious than the level in Senate climate legislation she is co-sponsoring.

The White House today said Obama will attend the Copenhagen international climate talks, and that the U.S. will propose cutting nationwide greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.

"The goal he announced today, in the range of 17 percent, reflects the work that was done in the House of Representatives and in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. It is realistic, it's smart, and it's credible," Boxer said in a prepared statement. Boxer chairs the Environment Committee.

The 17 percent figure is contained in the House-approved climate bill, but the Senate plan would require a 20 percent reduction. Boxer's committee approved that plan 11-1 earlier this month with no GOP members participating.

Senators including Max Baucus (D-Mont.), who cast the lone committee vote against the bill, want the 2020 emissions target scaled back. Both bills would require 83 percent cuts by 2050.