Climate Politics

Before Sunset

Language in budget bill could unravel federal environmental protections Buried deep in the 2,000-page budget bill President Bush recently sent to Congress is a three-sentence provision that threatens to eviscerate environmental and other protections. Authored by the White House Office of Management and Budget, the provision would, if passed unamended, subject any and all federal […]

Oh, Right, I Knew We Were Forgetting Something!

Bush climate-change research won’t research climate-change effects According to the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, the “more research” President Bush is always touting as his response to climate change is overlooking an area some might consider important — namely, what effects global warming might have on people and the environment (oh, that!). In fact, the GAO […]

Souuuueeeee!

House passes pork-laden energy bill The House of Representatives approved broad energy legislation yesterday by a vote of 249 to 183. The 1,000-plus-page bill contains some $12 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for energy companies, less than 5 percent of which go to clean energy or energy conservation. It contains a provision that would […]

Earth Day goings-on don’t measure up to dark drama on Capitol Hill

Today, on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the first Earth Day, the House of Representatives is voting on, and widely expected to pass, a grossly porkified energy bill that would dole out billions in subsidies to fossil-fuel industries, shortchange alternative-energy and efficiency initiatives, and indemnify makers of the gasoline additive MTBE against liability […]

It’s a bloated, industry-friend piece of crony capitalism. And its breath stinks.

The House starts work on the monstrosity that is the Energy Bill today, and could vote on it as early as tomorrow.

It contains this hideous provision, a naked givaway to big industry that would "bypass Congress's normal spending process to funnel up to $2 billion over 10 years into research for recovering oil and gas from the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico."

And that's just the beginning. It's difficult to describe just how reprehensible this bill is -- an exquisite example of the crony capitalism and patronage network that have long since replaced responsible governance for the ruling party in this country.

Check out this Moving Ideas page on the bill, its specific provisions, and what you can do to stop it.

(And also check out this NYT editorial.)

Rock the Bloat

Some conservatives getting uncomfortable with energy-bill pork A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, being a conservative meant favoring free markets and smaller, less intrusive federal government. A shrinking number of conservatives still cling to the old ways, and they are disturbed by the energy bill making its way through the House. […]

And By “Miscellaneous” We Mean “Nefarious”

Substantial changes to Clean Air Act slipped into energy bill Buried deep in the energy bill, filed under “Miscellaneous,” is a tiny bit of text that could affect the Clean Air Act in a big way. The provision, authored by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, would allow “downwind” […]

Here’s a Solution. Now What Was Your Problem Again?

Bush administration pushes energy bill as solution to high gas prices American citizens — or “consumers,” as they’re known these days — are irritated about high gas prices, and many of them blame President Bush, whose popularity has hit new lows. Of course, presidents are hardly responsible for short-term swings in commodity prices. Nevertheless, Bush […]

Know When to Hold Him

More drama around Stephen Johnson’s EPA confirmation The political jousting around the confirmation of Stephen Johnson to head the U.S. EPA continues, as yet another senator has threatened to gum up the process. Just last week, Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer (Calif.) and Bill Nelson (Fla.) held the confirmation hostage, forcing Johnson to cancel a controversial […]

Hey Joe, Where You Goin’ With That Bill in Your Hand?

Joe Barton leading GOP charge to push energy bill through House Undaunted by repeated defeats, House Republicans are having yet another go at crafting energy legislation that can make it through the Senate while still preserving massive energy-industry subsidies and tax breaks. This time around, they’ll have a powerful ally in the new chair of […]