Climate Politics
All Stories
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Industry groups launch astroturf ‘Energy Citizens’ website
The American Petroleum Institute has launched a website to promote its anti–climate bill astroturfing efforts. Site visitors can sign an e-petition to tell their lawmakers, “I call on Congress to reject climate change policies that could raise energy costs and eliminate American jobs.” The site also provides resources to help you “share your story” about […]
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Netroots Nation frustration and the impediments to progressive change
I just returned to Seattle from Netroots Nation, the yearly gathering of progressive bloggers, journalists, and activists. Last year, in Austin, the atmosphere was absolutely electric, with the election approaching and a clear sense of battle lines drawn, victory within reach. Also, lots of great parties. This year, at least from my limited perspective, the […]
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U.N. climate chief: $300B needed each year in global climate fight
Yvo de BoerThe global community should be investing $300 billion annually to combat global warming, according to U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer. De Boer, the executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, says the world needs to be spending $100 billion annually to help vulnerable communities adapt to the impacts of climate […]
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Sen. Arlen Specter says he won’t block debate on a climate bill this year
Addressing a crowd of liberal bloggers on Friday, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) said he would not block forward motion on priority issues for Democrats, and also said he expects to support the Obama administration’s plan to address climate change. Specter shook up Congress in April when he announced his switch to the Democratic Party. But […]
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Astroturf wars continue as more info comes to light on ‘Energy Citizen’ rallies
News broke on Friday that the American Petroleum Institute is urging member companies to recruit their employees, retirees, vendors, and contractors to attend “Energy Citizen” events across the country over the August congressional recess. Today, we have some updates to the story: It’s not just energy interests backing the astroturf efforts; major conservative and anti-tax […]
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Removing roadblocks to the growth of renewables
On Friday, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released new monthly statistics for renewable energy output as well as output of traditional forms of power. The good news is that renewable energy in May, the latest month for which statistics have been compiled, is at its all-time highest level, accounting for 13% of total power. The […]
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New Obama forest plan leaves roadless rule intact
The Obama administration will defend the Clinton roadless rule that has been ping-ponging in the courts for nearly a decade, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said in Seattle on Friday. If courts can’t resolve the forest-protection conflict, the administration will create its own roadless rule, he said. Vilsack laid out a broad vision for the […]
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Solar wars
Note to utilities: solar is popular with your customers. Earlier in the month in Colorado, Xcel proposed a scheme to charge their customers who install a solar installation an extra fee. After 5 days of intense public outcry, they withdrew the plan. For now. And in New Mexico, Public Service of New Mexico (the largest […]
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Four Democratic senators call for delay on climate legislation
Four moderate Democratic senators — all considered swing votes on climate legislation — want a climate bill put off until next year. They say Congress should focus on passing health-care legislation. “The problem of doing both of them together is that it becomes too big of a lift,” Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) told Bloomberg. Sens. […]
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Solar is getting cheap
Much of the rhetoric against energy legislation of any kind—and at any level—centers on cost. So advocates spend a lot of time explaining why continuing with the status quo is not a low cost option: clean(er) coal is not cheap, and nukes are really expensive. To say nothing of terraforming Mars. The other half of […]
