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  • Obama signals need for new energy agenda

    The biggest news from President Obama’s Oval Office address is that cap-and-trade legislation is probably dead for the foreseeable future, and the administration is seeking new ideas. Instead of using last night’s prime-time opportunity to push cap-and-trade in the form of the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act — as many climate advocates saw as their last […]

    Teryn Norris Politics

  • The unfinished tale of climate legislation: Eric Pooley’s ‘The Climate War’

    The pursuit of U.S. legislation to address the threat of climate change has been going on for more than 20 years. It has pit entrenched industries against scientists and campaigners, political appointees against agency staff, American diplomats against UN officials, propagandists against journalists, red states against blue states, and John McCain 2010 against John McCain […]

    David Roberts Politics
  • President Obama in Oval Office
    President Obama in Oval Office

    A mildly contrarian take on Obama’s Oval Office speech

    Reaction to Obama’s Tuesday evening speech was swift and brutal. “JUNK SHOT,” blared Huffington Post’s homepage. “What was the point?” asked Jason Linkins. “What a terrible speech,” said Kevin Drum. Having gone back and watched it a second time, I think these reactions may be a touch overwrought. Whenever Obama speaks, there’s always some set […]

    David Roberts Politics

  • EPA modeling shows American Power Act brings economic and climate benefits

    This post was co-authored by Richard W. Caperton. Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) released analysis today of their American Power Act, or APA, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA’s analysis definitively demonstrates that we can reduce our carbon pollution and jumpstart the clean energy economy at a very small cost […]

    Andrew Light Politics

  • The BP oil disaster made a major energy bill more likely, but what about a climate bill?

    When life gives you lemons … add some lemon dispersant and they’ll disappear from sight. Okay, wrong metaphor. Obama has suggested many times that he aspires to be a transformational leader like President Reagan, the “great communicator.” Tonight, we may well find out whether Obama is a Reagan or a Carter. Does Obama understand that […]

    Joseph Romm Politics

  • Study finds American Power Act creates jobs while decreasing household costs

    Cross-posted from NRDC’s Switchboard A new analysis of the American Power Act (APA), comprehensive climate and energy legislation released mid-May by Sens. Kerry and Lieberman, points to an economy with healthy growth in GDP and jobs, and significant savings in household energy expenditures. The analysis uses a new and highly innovative tool developed by McKinsey […]

    Laurie Johnson Politics

  • Carbon trades took a hit in the Great Recession

    Photo: James Mitchell via FlickrAs we know, one of the few beneficial side effects of the Great Recession of 2009 was the decline in global greenhouse gas emissions as our consumer-centric economy sputtered. But that also sent the voluntary carbon markets into a tailspin, according to a new report released Tuesday by Bloomberg New Energy […]

    Todd Woody Politics

  • David Roberts, fellow experts, and readers critique Obama’s Oval Office address

    Editor’s note: The chat’s now over, but you can replay it in full. Fresh from his fourth — and first overnight — trip to the Gulf, President Barack Obama delivered his first ever Oval Office address to the nation on Tuesday night. The president spoke about a new head for the hapless Minerals Management Service, […]

    Grist staff Politics

  • EPA analysis of Senate climate bill shows modest costs, omits benefits

    Photo: USDA Forest ServiceToday marks the release of the long-awaited EPA analysis of the American Power Act, Kerry and Lieberman’s climate bill. It could not come at a more consequential time: the decision about whether to include a carbon cap in the impending energy bill will be made in the next few days. Along with […]

    David Roberts Politics

  • Obama BP speech should signal shift in energy future

    Photo: The White HouseTonight, President Obama addresses the nation to talk about how his administration will hold BP accountable for the damages incurred by what has become the worst oil spill in U.S. history, and how he plans to reregulate the oil industry. The American public will be looking for bold action. Obama has a […]

    Janet Redman Politics