Greens back to playing defense - POLITICO.com

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is also stepping in, saying agency regulations won’t be anywhere near as cumbersome as industry warns, in part due to a recent policy she signed that limits regulations to only the nation’s largest emission sources.

“The Clean Air Act does not require EPA to act in a reckless and irresponsible manner,” Jackson said at an event celebrating the Clean Air Act’s 40th anniversary. “We will proceed carefully through the series of sensible steps that I have been describing publicly since my confirmation hearing 20 months ago.”
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For now, Reid has said he would build legislation around incentives for natural gas vehicles and “Home Star” energy-efficiency programs. But he’s also under pressure from clean energy advocates to include a national RES.

Democrats also have the election in mind as they talk about energy and climate bills coming up after November. Despite the long-shot odds of success, political observers say Reid and company are thinking about voter turnout as they continue to beat the drum on their agenda’s prospects.

“It’s prudent that the Democrats keep talking about action on those items to keep the base interested and coming out and supporting them in the fall elections,” said a former Senate Democratic aide. “I hate to say it, but I think it’s true.”