It is just one more step in the process of getting the Waxman-Markey climate-energy bill passed, but it is an important step.

You might think that getting a sufficient number of liberals to agree on legislation to brig into being a price for carbon emissions would not be hard, but the behind the scenes effort to get enough votes has been tough.

Sticking points have been Democrats that have recently taken seats from Republicans in more conservative parts of the US, and Democrats representing farming constituencies who stand to have their environmental impacts brought into the carbon count fully for the first time.

Nancy Pelosi is credited with having organized the strong arming.

If the agreement sticks, a vote on Friday should see the bill pass in the House of Representatives.