However, Republicans on the Senate environment committee and at least one Democrat reacted with skepticism yesterday to testimony about the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, a bill that includes a cap-and-trade provision on greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu, testifying on behalf of the bill, told senators that the current level of greenhouse gas emissions is unsustainable and world leaders are committed to deploying clean energy technologies.

The bill calls for a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and a more than 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who chairs the environment committee, said EPA estimates the bill will cost American consumers less than 30-cents per day.

However, Republicans rejected the administration´s cost estimates, saying no one understands the true costs associated with the bill because the EPA has failed to conduct a thorough cost analysis.

Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla, the ranking member of the environment committee, called the bill "a massive new tax on consumers that will have virtually no affect on climate."

Chu, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jon Wellinghoff and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., a sponsor of the bill, testified before the committee yesterday.

Committee hearings on Senate Bill 1733 are scheduled to run through Thursday with 54 witnesses scheduled to testify.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com