Majority Leader Reid gave a speech today at a major geothermal energy conference (PDF) in New York, unexpectedly dropping a few bombshells regarding climate change legislation and Senator Murkowski’s recent efforts to gut the Clean Air Act.

On climate legislation, Senator Reid said (emphasis mine):

“We have a lot on our plate. We have to finish reforming health insurance and Wall Street, and also must help bring Americans out of unemployment. But we are not so busy that we can’t find the time to address comprehensive energy and climate legislation.

“Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman have taken a lead in trying to craft a framework that would get more than 60 votes. We will need at least that many for two reasons: One, because any bill that seeks to rein in global warming pollution will be fought very hard by the same companies that profit most heavily from polluting. And two, because the rules of the Senate make it easy for a determined minority to stand in the way of all the good ideas you’re hearing at this forum.