Obama still wants ‘comprehensive’ climate and energy bill

A senior administration official on Friday reiterated that the White House wants Congress to approve combined climate change and energy legislation.

The official's comment comes as some lawmakers are calling for the Senate to pass energy-only legislation – focused on areas like energy efficiency and financing for low-emissions projects – while shelving action on legislation to impose mandatory emissions curbs.

But the official told reporters today that the White House is still pushing for the broader measure, and is working with the three senators trying to assemble a bipartisan climate and energy bill – John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).

“The president remains committed to comprehensive energy and climate legislation. We are in touch with Senators Kerry, Lieberman and Graham, who are advancing those efforts in the Senate, as well as senators on the outstanding committees of jurisdiction that are working on the legislation,” the official said.

The official spoke on a call with reporters about tax credits for manufacturing alternative energy components that the administration awarded today.

The House narrowly approved legislation last June to create an economy-wide “cap-and-trade” plan to reduce emissions. The bill included a host of provisions on renewable energy, building efficiency and other issues.

But mandatory curbs on greenhouse gas emissions face significant Senate opposition, and passage is also complicated by a crowded agenda and the mid-term elections.