What's going on with cap-and-trade?!?

In the wake of the healthcare passage and the debate that preceded, cap-and-trade has seemingly been put on the back burner. In researching something to discuss for this week's post, I realized there was not much recent news on the issue. The New York times website on cap-and-trade that I referenced in my first post hasn't been updated since February 3. The LA Times has no recent articles on the issue other than mere mentions of the bill in articles pertaining to healthcare or other policies on the agenda. I guess my big question is, where is all the info about cap-and-trade? Now that healthcare is out of the way, will we see more action taken on cap-and-trade or more efforts to fight or push the bill? Apparently, Lindsey Graham, senator of South Carolina voiced a similar sentiment, saying that "cap-and-trade is dead. His sentiment focuses on the idea that cap-and-trade as it currently stands needs to be changed in order to be seriously considered and effective. Darren Samuelsohn addressed this issue in his article "Graham's Cap-And-Trade Pronouncement Reframes Hill Debate," voicing his opinion that cap-and-trade is still alive and kicking. He states that what Graham ultimately meant was that cap-and-trade in its current form is dead. He is still in favor of "putting a price on carbon emissions." He hopes to take a more economic perspective on the issue, creating incentives for businesses and refraining from "devastat[ing] the economy." Graham wants the bill not only to improve the environment, but also create jobs, thereby stimulating the economy and increasing our sustainability.

My thoughts: I think that this is a very interesting concept. As the article says, Graham is reframing the issue and approaching it from a different standpoint. I think that this could help curb the opposition that the cap-and-trade bill is currently facing by focusing on the economic benefits. Because of the current state of our economy, I believe most of the American public will be hopeful about bills that suggest economic prosperity for our future. If it's going to create more jobs, I think more people will hop on board.

--Sara McKnight