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  • Environmental leaders offer their elevator pitches for Obama

    We asked a number of leaders in environment and sustainability issues to imagine they found themselves in an elevator with the president-elect — giving them one minute of his undivided attention. Here are their messages to Obama about how he should approach environment, energy, and climate policy. (For more perspectives, check out Part 1 and […]

  • Election-week polls find voters support both clean energy and offshore drilling

    Seventy-eight percent of voters believe that investing in clean energy is important to revitalizing the economy, according to a new Zogby International poll commissioned by the National Wildlife Federation. The findings support growing calls for a green economic-stimulus package. The poll of 3,357 voters nationwide, conducted Nov. 5-6, found that support for green investment is […]

  • Obama mulls Energy Security Council

    The latest, according to "sources close to the transition," is that Obama is thinking of creating an Energy Security Council, modeled on the National Security Council. This was, of course, one of Hillary Clinton’s signature proposals, though she called it the National Energy Council. Interestingly, the idea seems to be coming from John Podesta, who […]

  • The intellectual bankruptcy of conservatism: Heritage even opposes energy efficiency

    Conservative think tanks remain oblivious and impervious to the facts. They cling to global warming denial and delay even in the face of the remarkable advances both in scientific understanding about global warming and in clean technology solutions. They provide the foundational misanalysis (disanalysis?) for the entire conservative movement — although “movement” must be the […]

  • Nader’s challenge

    “Whatever you think of Nader’s jeremiad, it is exceedingly timely. Democrats are on the brink of losing their old excuses for timidity and retreat. If the election produces stronger majorities in Congress and a president who has promised big change, Nader’s analysis will be tested in the clearest terms. For the first time in thirty […]

  • Governator proposes tax on California oil drilling

    As part of a package aimed to address California’s $11.2-billion budget deficit, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday proposed a 9.9 percent tax per barrel on oil drilled in the state. The proposal, a flip-flop from the Governator’s opposition of a similar measure that failed two years ago, immediately garnered the ire of oil companies and […]

  • A roundup of possible Cabinet picks for environment-related positions

    The punditocracy is amusing itself by trading rumors about who Obama might tap to fill key leadership posts. Here are names that have been circulated thus far for environment-related positions. Warning: wild speculation to follow. EPA Administrator Robert F. Kennedy Jr., attorney for Riverkeeper and the Natural Resources Defense Council Mary Nichols, chair of the […]

  • Palin offers the help that Obama has not yet asked for

    “And as governor of Alaska, Governor Palin looks forward to working with President-elect Obama on securing energy independence for America.” — Meghan Stapleton, aide to Alaska governor Sarah Palin

  • Al Gore ‘cannot yet reveal’ his role in Obama’s administration

    Al Gore: I look forward to serving in the Obama administration and while I cannot yet reveal what my exact role will be, I can assure you that President-Elect Obama and I are eager to get started building a new world. One that is green and sustainable. Hmmm? (via Brian) UPDATE: Oy, this site is […]

  • Obama-Biden team launches transition website

    Barack Obama and Joe Biden have launched a transition website to highlight their work and agenda as they count down to Inauguration Day. Here’s what they have to say about energy and the environment: The Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan will: Provide short-term relief to American families facing pain at the pump. Help […]