Energy panel OKs bill aimed at climate change; Agriculture Committee much more skeptical

The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act yesterday on a 33-25 vote, but the bill still faces scrutiny from several committees.

John Broder reports for The New York Times that the bill still faces "a tortuous path" through several more House committees before it can be voted on this year. Among the biggest committee hurdles facing the bill is Agriculture, whose chairman, Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), has the support of as many as 28 Democrats who say they will vote against the bill without significant changes. Republicans cite the bill as the largest energy tax ever considered, and Jared Allen writes for The Hill that several Democrats who represent the rural areas said to be most in jeopardy of seeing their local utility rates increase, are skeptical.