Washington, D.C. — The Senate’s chief architect of climate legislation accused MidAmerican Energy of trying to block reductions in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

“Where I see you going is for the status quo,” Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., told MidAmerican’s chief executive, William Fehrman, at a hearing Thursday. “The problem for you is that the status quo is about to change.”

Boxer leads the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is taking the lead in developing the Senate’s version of legislation that would require utilities, refiners and other companies to reduce carbon emissions. MidAmerican said it is following up on Boxer’s request to “work with us,” and is trying to schedule a meeting with her.

MidAmerican has been leading opposition among coal-dependent Midwest utilities to a cap-and-trade approach approved by the House that would set limits on emissions and require power companies to buy allowances, or credits, for emissions that can’t be eliminated through changing fuels, efficiency or other means.

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