The House Energy and Commerce Committee last week took a major step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It approved a bill that would cap releases of heat-trapping gases and create a national market to trade pollution credits.

The bill comes on the eve of talks that will set the stage for a new international treaty to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The old treaty — the much-discussed Kyoto Protocol that the United States refused to sign — is set to expire in 2012. ( Back to Article )