Pat Dollard

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THE HILL:

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said Sunday that the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill helps make the case for passage of the climate change and energy bill that he’s rolling out May 12 with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).

Lieberman said on “Fox News Sunday” that he believes the bill can pass this year despite plans to include measures that promote offshore oil-and-gas drilling, noting “I think we’ve got a real shot at this.”

“The oil spill in the gulf reminds us of a couple of things. The first is that we need to transition our energy system to one that doesn’t depend on oil,” Lieberman said.

“But in the meantime, as we’re making the transition, which our bill would accelerate and create millions of new jobs in our country and make us energy independent, we’ve got to continue to use our domestic energy resources, because every barrel of oil we get from American offshore or onshore is one barrel less we are paying for to enemies of the United States around the world,” he added.

The bill is expected to include greenhouse gas emissions caps and provisions to promote alternative energy sources, as well as nuclear power, low-emissions coal projects and offshore drilling.

But efforts to boost drilling face new resistance — and uncertainty — following the Gulf spill. Lieberman acknowledged last week that the drilling provisions are getting a “second look.” And the bill faces many other hurdles as well.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who for months negotiated with Kerry and Lieberman, several weeks ago stepped back from the effort. On Friday Graham called passage of the bill “impossible” in the current political environment.

Graham argues that Democratic plans to bring up immigration legislation this year have poisoned the political environment. In a statement Friday, he also noted that the Gulf spill creates “new policy and political challenges not envisioned in our original discussions.” He called for a “pause” in the process.

The defection of Graham — who has been seen as a bridge to other GOP votes — from the effort to push the bill is a major blow to its prospects.

But Kerry and Lieberman have sought to show that the measure has momentum. Kerry said last week that they will have support from large energy companies, veterans and other interests when they roll out the measure.

“I believe we’re going to have the broadest group of supporters Wednesday when we launch this bill that has ever come together for an energy independence program,” Lieberman said Sunday.