Sam Brownback: “this is a compromise approach on a very difficult issue. It involves taking out the underlying language on the…”

“this is a compromise approach on a very difficult issue. It involves taking out the underlying language on the CO<INF>2</INF> registry. It will put in place a 5-year voluntary program on registering of CO<INF>2</INF> emissions. After that period of time, if 60 percent are not reported, it does put in place a trigger mechanism, a mandatory reporting, unless there is an affirmative vote by this body which is required in the bill to remove that reporting requirement. It is a bipartisan approach. It is a compromise approach on a tough topic. It is voluntary. It is market oriented. It provides companies a way to limit their risk and exposure on CO<INF>2</INF> issues of anything that might happen in the future and provides a registry for companies that want to voluntarily step forward and work to reduce those CO<INF>2</INF> emissions. They may want to put in a new powerplant that is coal fired to protect themselves for CO<INF>2</INF> exposures. This is a tough and complex topic. I think we have struck the right balance with this amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote for it.”