Climate Politics
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California updates plan for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions
How will California meet its goal to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020? It’s so glad you asked. On Wednesday, the state Air Resources Board released an update to its draft proposal for cutting emissions. The updated plan adds in analysis related to newly signed laws that discourage sprawl and encourage green jobs, […]
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BLM publishes proposed rule which ignores House committee’s resolution
Originally posted at the Wonk Room. —– The Bush administration is rushing forward with plans to mine the Grand Canyon for uranium, ignoring a command from Congress to cease such operations. Since 2003, mining interests have staked out over 800 uranium claims within five miles of Grand Canyon National Park. As Mineweb reports, “The Bureau […]
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Florida to release tough climate action plan
The state government of Florida is set today to release its action plan on climate change, which includes significant reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions and indicates that the state stands to reap $28 billion in net economic savings by 2025 if it moves forward with cutting carbon. A draft summary [PDF] of the plan from the […]
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Oversight Committee says White House overstepped its bounds
Back in June, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was ready to vote on whether to hold U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and Office of Management and Budget’s Susan Dudley in contempt of Congress for failing to turn over documents related to the controversial decisions on smog and California’s request for an emissions waiver. […]
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In series of video spoofs, Grist tries to stump the candidates with tough climate questions
While sitting on a panel about bias in the media, Dan Rather called out the contrived format of the presidential debates, saying, “First of all, these aren’t debates. They are a ‘something,’ but they aren’t debates.” We feel ya, Dan. Which is why we sought out the meatiest environmental questions that talented Grist actors the […]
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Presidential candidates meet for their final showdown tonight
With just 20 days to go before the election, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama will meet at Hofstra University for their third and final debate tonight at 9 p.m. EDT. Their ultimate encounter, moderated by Bob Schieffer of CBS News, will focus on domestic and economic policy. Might we hear some questions (or, […]
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ESA can’t help protect species from climate change, Bush admin argues
The Endangered Species Act can’t be used to spur regulation of specific sources of greenhouse-gas emissions in the United States, according to new memos outlining the Bush administration’s legal arguments on the matter. One of the memos, from a top Interior Department lawyer, reasons that since it can’t be proved that greenhouse-gas emissions from a […]
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Canada’s election deals defeat to Liberal Party and carbon tax
Canada’s national election on Tuesday strengthened the country’s Conservative Party minority in Parliament and summarily killed hopes for a national carbon tax to fight global warming. The carbon tax plan, which would have levied a tax on most fossil fuels but would have been offset by income-tax reductions, was a main plank of Liberal leader […]
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Canadian elections strengthen Conservatives, drinkers
Well, it was a short, boring campaign, and, uh, nothing really happened. I’m writing this before the polls have all reported in, but the Conservatives have almost certainly gained a couple dozen seats, putting them just — just — short of a majority government. The Liberals have run on a campaign of trying to be […]
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News tidbits from the presidential race
• The Salt Lake Tribune has an in-depth look at Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s records and rhetoric on energy, honing in on a number of specific issues, from renewables to oil shale to “clean coal.” There’s even a handy chart. • Washington Post columnist Andrew Freedman looks at how the presidential candidates might reshape […]
