Senators Propose New Approach to Climate Issue

WASHINGTON -- Two senators are proposing a new approach to tackling climate change. They want to reduce greenhouse gases by having the government sell pollution allowances to industry and then use most of the money to send tax-free monthly checks to every American.

The checks would offset the higher cost of energy.

The proposal in a bill introduced Friday by Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington and Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is an alternative to a more complex cap-and-trade climate proposal already before the Senate and approved by the House. Cantwell said her approach is a simpler way to reduce carbon pollution and boost clean energy alternatives. It is designed to cut emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and about 80 percent by mid-century.