Bingaman’s ‘clean energy standard’ might surface next week

Bingaman has been exploring the “clean energy standard” (CES) since early last year. The idea also has some GOP roots — former Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have both backed the concept in the past.

While inclusion of nuclear, natural gas and coal-based generation with carbon capture (a technology that remains far from commercial-scale adoption) under the standard could be attractive to Republicans, the plan nonetheless faces gigantic hurdles on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), the top Republican on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has said she cannot support a CES unless it replaces federal greenhouse gas regulations, while many other Republicans in both chambers are wary of any new requirements for power companies.

But the proposal — which White House officials have emphasized would be flexible and market-based — could nonetheless provide Democrats a rallying point to counter GOP energy plans.