Anatomy of a Bill: Key Features of Kerry-Boxer Senate Climate Bill

As the Senate's climate and energy bill takes shape, it looks broadly similar to the House-passed Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act - with a few exceptions. Writing for theEnergyCollective.com, WattHead.org editor and Breakthrough Institute energy policy director Jesse Jenkins outlines the key features of the Kerry-Boxer "Clean Energy Jobs and America's Power Act" and contrasts the notable changes with the bill's House sibling.

Still, key details about the use of hundreds of billions in carbon allowance revenue remain blank for now, leaving some, including Breakthrough Institute Senior Fellow and science policy expert Roger Pielke, Jr, speculating that the Senate plans to use this revenue, as the House did, primarily as bargaining chips to secure reluctant votes, rather than as a funding source for critical, proactive investments to spur clean energy technologies, industries and jobs.

See also: Jenkins and other experts discuss Senate climate bill politics and policy in an Energy Collective webinar.