Climate Politics
All Stories
-
T. Boone Pickens embraces progressive policies but not progressive politicians
I interviewed the billionaire conservative oilman for Salon. My article and the interview are now online here. My goal was not to trip him up with the flaws in his plan, but just to explore some of the key issues, especially the role of government in making it happen. Talking to him it is clear […]
-
Rep. Ed Markey talks about the Dems’ strategy for energy legislation in the House
Yesterday, I talked to Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming, about what to expect from the Democrats on energy legislation when Congress goes back into session next month. We also discussed the Dems’ plans for climate and energy legislation next year.
-
GOP platform acknowledges human-caused climate change, leaves out ANWR drilling
The Republican platform for 2008, hammered out by the Republican National Committee ahead of the party’s convention next week, is mildly greener than in 2004, making it “the greenest platform we’ve ever had,” according to a member of the committee. The draft platform acknowledges humans’ role in climate change but still takes digs at the […]
-
Joe Biden and Bill Clinton say Obama’s the man to solve the energy crisis
In his convention speech on Wednesday night, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said an Obama administration will make “alternative energy a national priority … creating 5 million new jobs, and finally breaking us from the grip of foreign oil.” Biden accused John McCain of being wrong on everything “from Amtrak to veterans,” and said, […]
-
Obama’s VP talks energy and Amtrak in his acceptance speech
After formally receiving the nomination as Barack Obama’s running mate, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden took the stage. His speech focused on his middle-class roots and the lessons he learned from his parents, and transitioned into emphasizing a call to revitalize the “American dream.” While emphasizing his friendship with John McCain, he criticized the Arizona senator […]
-
DNC: When Kerry attacks
John Kerry came out swinging tonight, calling for, among other things, “an energy revolution.” The best riff in the speech was a comparison between Senator McCain and Candidate McCain. He talked about McCain’s many flip-flops (including on drilling) and capped it off with: “talk about being before it before he was against it!” And his […]
-
Criticizes McCain’s changes on climate legislation
Former presidential candidate and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on McCain’s changing policies: “Candidate McCain criticizes the climate change bill that Sen. McCain wrote … talk about being for it before you’re against it. Before he debates Barack Obama, John McCain should finish the debate with himself.”
-
Bill Clinton puts his support behind Obama, says he’s ready to take on the nation’s challenges
Bill Clinton took the stage this evening to thunderous applause and chants of “Bill, Bill, Bill.” “I’m here, first, to support Barack Obama,” he began. “And I’m here to warm up the crowd for Joe Biden.” He then touched on the tough battle between his wife, Hillary Clinton, and Obama: “That campaign created so much […]
-
DNC: Clinton warming
Bill Clinton on the primary: “That campaign created so much heat, it increased global warming.” UPDATE: Clinton knocked it out of the park — his speech was just as good, in its way, as Hillary’s. Full-throated support for Obama, his characteristic historical context-setting, and as a bonus, several mentions of global warming as one of […]
-
Colorado celebrates wind investment, but calls for more legislative support from Washington
I stopped by a press conference yesterday for Vestas, the wind energy company, where state leaders were hailing the company’s recent investment in Colorado. Vestas has plans for four major manufacturing plants in Colorado where they will build the components of wind turbines like blades to towers. They estimate that the plants will create 2,500 […]
