Latest Articles

House passes massive tax extensions for renewable energy

The House approved legislation today that renews billions of dollars in tax breaks for wind, solar, biomass, and other renewable energy sources, and extends a proposed new tax credit for biofuels derived from sources other than corn. “The Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008” (which is a much better name than it had last […]

Full text of the substitute amendment to Lieberman-Warner now available

The full-text of the amendment [PDF] to the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act is now available, which answers some of the outstanding questions stemming from the outline Sen. Boxer has been circulating. A few important areas to look at in the new version: Cost containment: This is the mechanism, also called an “emergency off-ramp,” that will […]

Time to focus on tax credits, not Lieberman-Warner

I love House. Not the House of Representatives, but the TV show.

Everybody loves to see people with seemingly inexplicable symptoms saved from sure death. No doubt that explains the fascination with the Lieberman-Warner bill. But people ... I've been trying to be gentle about this ... it's dead. Sure, like Amber on the season finale [spoiler alert!] L-W can be briefly revived so we can say goodbye to it forever, but that is really just a soap opera gimmick.

We don't need to say goodbye to L-W; we need to focus all our effort on those important bills that are still clinging to life, bills that haven't already signed a contract to appear on another TV show next season -- like the investment tax credit that is crucial to keeping the momentum going on core technologies that can avert catastrophic climate change (see Barlett op-ed and PG&E op-ed). To L-W supporters, I can only offer this eulogy:

Does the bank have a legitimate role in solving the climate crisis?

The World Bank, which once upon a time wanted to rid the world of poverty, is now trying to position itself as climate crisis savior -- but at the same time is continuing its fossilized ways. So says EarthBeat Radio -- check out their illuminating podcast on it. Janet Redman, the author of a report entitled "The World Bank: Climate Profiteer," is interviewed about a $2 billion portfolio of carbon offsets for industries in the global north to be developed in the global south. Sadly, the Bank program suffers from a lack of transparency, benefits dirty industries most, and puts the alleviation of poverty at the bottom of its list of priorities. Doesn't sound like a world of change.

David Miliband talks about democracy and the climate crisis

I caught an interesting event this morning with U.K. Foreign Minister David Miliband, who is in town to give a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the “democratization agenda.” The New American Foundation hosted the morning event with assorted policy wonks, journalists, and political types, and emcee Steve Clemons summarized it […]

Why the Everglades is burning, and how we sucked it dry

It’s hard to believe, now that it’s been overrun by 7 million residents and 7 jillion strip malls, but southern Florida was once America’s last frontier. As late as 1880, the census recorded just 257 residents in a county covering most of the region — because most of the region was a watery wilderness called […]

Snippets from the news

• Kansas lawmakers won’t try to override coal-plant veto. • Hydrogen-powered phone on the horizon. • U.S. military pushing for alternative fuels. • The Queen invests in the world’s largest wind turbine. • USDA eliminates pesticide-tracking program. • Ocean-seeding startup seeks funds. • Giant cardboard kangaroo helps climate study.

Thieves targeting used cooking oil

Leftover cooking grease is a hot commodity these days, and restaurants across the country are reporting being hit by slippery-fingered thieves. Biodiesel producers must legally register with the U.S. EPA, but DIY biofuelers are helping themselves to waste cooking oil as its value skyrockets along with the price of diesel. David Levenson, owner of a […]

EPW approves legislation calling on Bush to overturn EPA decision he likely forced EPA to make

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved legislation yesterday that would call on George W. Bush to sign off on California’s request for waiver — the very same waiver he likely encouraged EPA administrator Stephen Johnson to deny. “The Reducing Global Warming Pollution from Vehicles Act of 2008” would require the president to approve […]

Big Oil tries to evade blame for high energy prices

It’s a cryin’ shame that energy prices are so high, but it’s totally not Big Oil’s fault, top execs at the five largest oil companies told a Senate panel Wednesday. Big guns from BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon, and Shell — almost all the same rich white guys that gathered at a similar hearing last month […]