Browner won’t forecast climate bill timeline

But Democrats’ focus on the economy and jitters about the mid-term elections, combined with resistance among many lawmakers to emissions caps, has bred uncertainty about whether climate legislation will remain on the 2010 agenda.

Browner, however, cited several signs that comprehensive climate and energy legislation is moving forward. She proclaimed herself heartened by the joint efforts of Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) to craft a compromise plan.

Browner also said that support for climate legislation among businesses groups, environmentalists and unions is a good sign, claiming there is a “meeting of the minds” that’s crucial to moving major environmental legislation.