Climate Politics
All Stories
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There’s Nothing to Fear But Clear Itself
Bush administration gamed analysis of competing air-pollution plans Now, we know you’re going to find this hard to believe, but … it seems the Bush administration has been less than truthful about its industry-friendly air-pollution proposal. In late October, the U.S. EPA released a report purporting to demonstrate that its “Clear Skies” legislation delivered the […]
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With a CAFE boost looking out of reach, enviros check out other options
Is CAFE kaput? Since 1975, CAFE — or corporate average fuel economy — standards have stood as America’s defining energy-efficiency strategy. Yet, despite much wailing and gnashing of teeth by activists and a handful of politicians, the standards for passenger cars haven’t been raised since 1985 — they still call for automakers’ car fleets to […]
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Steamroll on Columbia
Idaho senator axes funding for agency that studies endangered salmon Well, that’s one way to deal with scientific findings you don’t like! Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) has wiped out funding for the Fish Passage Center, a 12-person, $1.3 million agency widely respected by salmon-conservation experts. The center has documented shrinking fish numbers in the Columbia […]
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Against Montreal Odds
Pro-Kyoto Canadian gov’t likely to fall as Montreal climate meet begins Some 10,000 officials, activists, and scientists from more than 180 countries are gathering in Montreal today for a U.N. climate-change summit. It was supposed to be Canada’s moment to shine: Its influential and persuasive environment minister Stephane Dion, a strong Kyoto advocate, is chairing […]
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Obama and a bipartisan crew of colleagues unveil eco-friendly bills on energy
Caterwauling over the Iraq War last week brought Congress to a rancorous new low, drowning out calls from both sides of the aisle for a clean and sane energy future. A handful of senators and reps unveiled proposals pressing for the Bush administration and automakers to shrink America’s outsized energy demands and tackle the climate […]
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Mining-law revamp could put millions of public acres up for sale
Greens beamed and GOP leaders bristled last week after language paving the way for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and on the Outer Continental Shelf was stricken from the House budget reconciliation bill. But many Democrats and enviros are now sounding the alarm over another provision in the bill, one that’s stirred […]
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Just Joshin’
Electric-car driver was not an eco-terrorist, FBI admits The FBI will issue a rare “letter of regret” and pay environmentalist Josh Connole $100,000 after mistakenly arresting him for domestic terrorism. Agents followed Connole for several days in 2003, after arson-vandalism attacks at four Southern California car dealerships in which gas-guzzlers were spray-painted with phrases like […]
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Don’t Just Lie There
Oil industry execs caught fibbing; may lose tax break; still filthy rich Last week, while testifying at a Senate hearing, oil industry executives were asked point blank: “Did your company or any representatives of your companies participate in Vice President Cheney’s energy task force in 2001?” The answers? Three No’s, an “I don’t know,” and […]
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A roundup of green plans and brown bills proposed post-Katrina
Resourceful environmental leaders have unearthed opportunity amidst the wreckage left behind by this year’s record hurricane season and the battering of the Gulf Coast. They’ve crafted plans for everything from the building of new, green, affordable housing to the tightening of auto fuel-economy standards. Of course, powerful people with less eco-friendly agendas have seen opportunity […]
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The Mod Squad
GOP moderates derail drilling plans for Arctic Refuge and offshore areas Opponents of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge got some shocking good news last night: 25 moderate House Republicans, led by Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.), defied pressure from the GOP leadership and vowed to oppose a $54 billion, filibuster-proof budget bill unless provisions […]
