Creating jobs may be key to slim chances of passing a climate-change bill in 2010

While President Obama is expected to promote alternative energy as a way to tackle global warming and job loss in tonight's State of the Union address, prospects for a 2010 climate bill are looking slimmer. Many politicians in Congress don't want to vote for a bill that would raise energy prices on the heels of a recession, especially with November elections just on the horizon, Reuters reports, echoing similar reports in recent days.

A new poll from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press reveals only 28 percent of those surveyed considered global warming a top priority this year, down from 38 percent in 2009. Forty-nine percent surveyed said dealing with domestic energy problems was a top priority, down from 60 percent last year. With the recent Republican Senate victory in Massachusetts, the Senate Democrats lost the ability to unilaterally pass a climate bill, and could choose to take up studying election results, Reuters notes.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is working with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on a compromise bill that could pass the Senate this year. If such a bill isn't reached, Democrats could shelve cap-and-trade in favor of a bill only requiring more use of alternative energy sources, Reuters reports. (Read more)

Democrats' chances of passing a broad climate bill this year may hinge on their ability to convince moderates in both parties that it could create jobs, Darren Goode and Amy Harder of National Journal report. "The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold another in a series of hearings this week to try to further that argument," the reporters write. "Thursday's hearing stars Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and focuses on jobs that could be created through expanding the use of solar energy." (Read more)