Rep. Boucher won’t be involved in crafting or shaping the Senate bill (since he is a member of the House), but that doesn’t mean the chamber’s forgotten about the potential power wielded by this Virginia Democrat. Boucher is a staunch defender of the coal industry and likely will fight any effort he views as threatening to his district’s major industry. Just last month, Boucher joined with fellow coal-supporting Democrats to introduce a bill suspending the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. If the Senate approves any climate change legislation, the bill will still need support from Boucher or other House Democrats in coal districts in order to win passage. Senate authors are likely to be already taking this into consideration at this early stage in the bill’s formation.