Boxer pushes for energy bill delay

The House of Representatives in June narrowly passed a bill based on a "cap-and-trade" system in which companies would get pollution allowances that they could sell if they went below emissions limits, or buy if they could not meet the requirements.

But prospects are uncertain in the Senate, where Republicans and coal-state Democrats oppose it, according to the Associated Press.

The leading Senate proponents -- Democrats Barbara Boxer of California and John Kerry of Massachusetts -- plan to delay introducing their bill until late September.

They cited Kennedy's death, Kerry's August hip surgery and the Finance Committee's focus on health care.