"In the negotiations over the Waxman-Markey climate bill, Rep. Rick Boucher inserted a giant gift to the utility industry. It would create the Carbon Storage Research Corporation and funnel $10 billion to support the corporation over the next 10 years, with up to $500 million designated simply for 'administrative expenses' to be spent at the discretion of its officers. This corporation would be run by EPRI. The funding would come from the pockets of every ratepayer who uses electricity, in the form of an almost invisible 50-cents-a-month tax conveniently referred to as an 'assessment.'"

David Sassoon reports for SolveClimate June 2, 2009. [2]