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  • “Republicans can’t regain their souls for demagoguing the issue”

    “There’s got to be something more important than getting reelected,” Perriello said in an interview with Politico. “If I lose my seat, and that’s the worst that happens, I could live with that.” But the 34-year-old believes Democrats will win this fight. “This is a gift,” Perriello said of the vote. “For the first time […]

  • 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 […]

  • Senate Minority Report on global warming not credible, says Center for Inquiry

    A major political struggle surrounds current efforts to enact legislation addressing the harmful effects of climate change. Opponents of legislation limiting carbon dioxide emissions express doubt about the scientific evidence for global warming. Since the issuance of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Science Report in 2007 (the Physical Science Report, hereafter referred to as […]

  • Hawaii invests in climate change task force

    Haleakala National Park in HawaiiPhoto courtesy Simonds via FlickrHawaii’s state legislature established a climate change task force last week to study the potential impacts of rising sea levels, eroding coast lines, ocean acidification, fiercer storms, and other expected affects of climate change, and to suggest response strategies. Lawmakers overrode a veto by Republican Gov. Linda […]

  • 100 nuclear plants: The answer?

      Architecture 2030 will post a better answer on Grist next week. Stay tuned … UPDATE:  Here’s the answer.  

  • Coal industry downplays prospects for CCS as it seeks more handouts in Senate climate bill

    The coal industry got a lot of goodies in the House-passed energy and climate bill, but it’s pressing for even more in the Senate version. At a Senate hearing on the future of coal hosted earlier this week by Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and George Voinovich (R-Ohio), representatives from utilities and coal companies told lawmakers […]

  • Rep. Rahall to leap out of a plane on behalf of coal

    West Virginia Rep. Nick Rahall (D) plans to leap out of an airplane to show his support for coal. Yes, really. This comes via Ken Ward Jr., who posted Rahall’s press release on the big event. It is sponsored by Friends of Coal, and will honor the military and law enforcement too (that’s a lot […]