Climate Change
Basics
Lobby Firm Behind Climate Forgeries Helped Kill Higher CAFE Standards
The Washington lobbying firm of Bonner & Associates is facing protests and a possible wire fraud probe after it was revealed to have forged at least a dozen letters to Congress this summer that claimed to represent local grassroots groups opposed to fighting climate change.
August 5, 2009
Your Burger or Your Car! (And More Fun with False Dichotomies)
The Washington Post's Ezra Klein, whose blog is a must-read look at the political dynamics of congressional policy-making, makes an eyebrow-raising assertion in his food column today:
July 29, 2009
How Soon Will Cutting Transportation Emissions Save Money?
Anyone who kept tabs on the House's climate change bill last month recalls much acrimonious ado about the plan's impact on average American pocketbooks. The GOP tossed out cost estimates that turned out to be manipulated, while nonpartisan projections showed the bill actually saving money for low-income families.
July 28, 2009
Oberstar to White House: On Emissions, Back Up Your Words With Action
Appearing this morning at the release of a new report on transportation's role in fighting climate change, House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) challenged the Obama administration to back up their emissions rhetoric with action and pass his six-year, $450 billion infrastructure bill.
July 28, 2009
White Roof, Green Roof: Cities Share Climate Solutions on the Hill
When Energy Secretary Steven Chu observed that simply painting roofs white would go a long way in reducing emissions, he was mocked by conservatives but hailed by advocates who have long understood the power of small-scale actions to mitigate the warming climate.
July 22, 2009
Cardin & Carper Bullish on Transit’s Prospects in Senate Climate Bill
Addressing a climate change forum this morning, two Democrats on the Senate environment committee said they are pushing for transit and other green modes of transport to get 10 percent of the revenue generated by the upcoming Senate bill regulating carbon emissions.
July 22, 2009
5 Down, 5 to Go: Plan Linking Transit to Climate Bill Wins Sponsors
Streetsblog Capitol Hill reported this week that the Obama administration -- which often talks about reducing transportation-based emissions -- is staying mum on a bill that would devote a guaranteed share of revenues from carbon regulation to transit, bike paths, and other green modes of transport.
July 17, 2009
White House Staying Quiet For Now on Transit’s Role in Climate Bill
Delivering his climate-change message to Congress yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned that fuel-efficiency advances secured by the Obama administration would not be enough to reduce emissions from transportation -- not without encouraging Americans to drive less.
July 15, 2009
Taking GOP Graphics a Bit Too Seriously
Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO), one of his chamber's leading opponents of action against climate change, has swiped the hilariously complicated "chart" that his House colleagues used last month in a futile attempt to portray emissions reductions as just too complex for the American people to stomach.
July 10, 2009
Boxer Delays Senate Climate Bill Until September
This was supposed to be a big week for action on climate change in the Senate -- but it's ending with Republicans rubbing their hands in glee as the Environment and Public Works Committee delays its unveiling of legislation on carbon emissions.
July 9, 2009