Latest Articles

Tom Freidman: Obama Must Mobilize Country to Pass Senate Bill

“… If he is not ready to risk failure by going all out, failure will be the most likely result.“ If Obama wants the Senate to pass Waxman-Markey – preferably strengthened – then he needs to put the same effort into it that he has begun for health care.  And you, the informed public, must […]

If New York Times can’t tell the global warming story (twice!), how will the public hear it?

The signs of global warming are everywhere. Coming back from my Vail conference to Denver, the driver pointed out to me the shocking devastation the state is now experiencing from the pine beetle, devastation anyone who lives in the West can see. The so-called paper of record ran its second major story in less than […]

Chu: U.S. needs to be the Wayne Gretzky of clean energy

In the first half of his Sunday interview after the passage of the Waxman-Markey bill, Obama said he was confident the Senate will pass the climate and clean energy bill. He also asserted “My strong belief is that innovation and technology are going to accelerate our process beyond these targets, and that we’re going to […]

In case you thought passing a climate bill was easy: “Chaos, arm-twisting gave Pelosi win&#822

Judging by emails and comments, many progressives and enviros seem to be under the misimpression that a much tougher climate bill was politically possible.  I myself was under that misimpression for a while. Now, in fairness to myself (and others), one serious scenario does exist for a tougher climate bill being politically possible – but […]

U.S.-Russia climate and energy efficiency cooperation: A neglected challenge

Enhancing cooperation on climate change and energy efficiency should be a major plank of U.S. Russia policy and should be discussed at the highest levels when President Obama meets with President Medvedev next week.This Center for American Progress post, by Senior Fellow Andrew Light, Senior Policy Analyst Julian L. Wong, and Fellow Samuel Charap, was […]

Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)

Claire McCaskillSen. Claire McCaskill doesn’t think the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill that passed the House in June stands much chance of passing the Senate, and she would not support the bill as it stands. During House debate on the legislation, McCaskill expressed her concerns via Twitter: “I hope we can fix cap and trade […]

Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.)

Blanche Lincoln Sen. Blanche Lincoln recently called the House climate and energy bill “a complete non-starter,” and pledged that the Senate would move more slowly in crafting legislation in order to address the concerns of specific legislators and regions. Lincoln’s own concerns include potential rises in energy costs and impacts on agriculture. She has also […]

Mark Begich (D-Alaska)

Mark Begich Sen. Mark Begich beat out everyone’s favorite Senate curmudgeon, “Uncle” Ted Stevens (R), in a tight race last fall. And while he’s seen as a modest improvement in the environmental realm, he’s also a steadfast supporter of increased oil and gas drilling, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Begich has advocated for […]

Kent Conrad (D-N.D.)

Kent Conrad Sen. Kent Conrad’s colleague in the House, Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), voted against the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act, and Conrad says he wouldn’t vote for the bill either. He also joined with three other moderate Democrats in suggesting that the climate vote should be put off until next year. Last […]

Silicon Valley VC sees bright future for green tech — and a need to engage policy makers

A BrightSource Energy solar thermal project.Photo: BrightSource EnergyDrive around the San Francisco Bay Area and you can see the emerging corporate infrastructure of the new green economy. In a downtown Oakland office tower, you’ll find the headquarters of BrightSource Energy, a solar thermal power-plant developer that has scored contacts to build more than 2,600 megawatts’ […]