Browner stands by 'economy-wide' climate program, but 'encouraged' by dialogue in Congress

Climate czar Carol Browner said the administration continued to support an “economy-wide program” for climate legislation, but added she was “encouraged” by ongoing discussions on Capitol Hill that appear to chart a different course for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In an effort to write climate legislation that can attract the support of centrists, Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) are expected to abandon a far-reaching "cap and trade" program in favor of a more targeted market mechanism limited at first to electric utilities.

Oil companies, which would be forced to participate in cap-and-trade system set up under climate legislation pushed by the administration, would instead face a levy or a fee on their products in the measure Kerry, Graham and Lieberman are crafting.

Browner, whose official title is special assistant to the president on energy and climate, briefly touched on the progression of climate talks during a conference call on Tuesday with reporters intended to address a new White House-supported package of incentives to encourage homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements in their homes.

Browner said an economy wide program would create clean energy jobs. She added that she was “encouraged by all this discussion,” and looked forward to reviewing legislation being developed by Kerry, Graham and Lieberman.