Gibbs: Time for energy bill is ‘more ripe’ than ever

His comments come as Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) are planning to roll out their long-awaited climate bill May 12.

Graham, who had been a co-author of the bill, pulled back from the effort last month. He’s upset that Democratic leaders plan to push immigration legislation, which he believes will create a toxic political atmosphere that sinks the climate bill.

And Friday, Graham said the Gulf spill creates “new policy and political challenges not envisioned in our original discussions.”

“In light of this, I believe it would be wise to pause the process and reassess where we stand,” Graham said.

The bill the three senators crafted is designed to blend greenhouse gas emissions limits with expanded development of alternative and traditional energy sources, including offshore oil-and-gas. But the spill has created new uncertainty about the drilling language.

Gibbs, however, emphasized the breadth of technologies that the legislation would support.

“It [the spill] demonstrates that — it demonstrates that you have to have a whole host of different ways at powering cars, at powering homes, at powering businesses. Some are going to involve oil.  Some are going to involve coal. Some are going to involve clean energy like solar and wind, which we’ve made a tremendous investment in.  You’re going to have to have greater energy efficiency,” Gibbs said.