Unions line up behind carbon cuts

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2438027220070524

By Chris Baltimore

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Huge U.S. organized labor unions are the latest players to endorse mandatory caps on U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, adding to a growing call for action.

An official at the AFL-CIO, the largest American labor federation, on Thursday said the group would likely endorse a proposal by an influential U.S. panel of energy experts that calls for mandatory greenhouse gas emission cuts.

That comes after the United Mine Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Boilermakers both endorsed mandatory caps.

Organized labor, which for years has opposed mandatory action on greenhouse gases, could be critical to gathering a political consensus in the U.S. Congress to act.

The National Commission on Energy Policy's plan is the model for a climate change proposal to offered in coming weeks by senators Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico Democrat, and Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican.

The panel has called for greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced in the first year of the plan's implementation, which would happen in 2012 at the earliest.

FULL story at link.

Cross posted in Labor.

[Kolesar]

1. Mineworkers (!)

No mention of the Autoworkers Union (UAW). I think the rank and file membership would be accomodating, but I have my doubts about the leadership.