Climate Politics

New Obama ad responds to McCain’s Britney ad

Barack Obama is hammering back after John McCain ran an ad comparing him to Britney Spears. In a new ad of his own, Obama accuses the Republican candidate of taking “the low road.” “John McCain: Same old politics, same failed policies,” says the ad, before touting Obama’s plans to grant a $1,000 middle-class tax, fight […]

Bush praises coal, other fossil fuels in speech to West Virginia Coal Association

In a speech to coal industry executives in West Virginia Thursday, President Bush praised nuclear power and fossil fuels of all kinds, but lavished special praise on coal. “There’s no more reliable source of electricity than coal,” he said. Bush announced $36 million for carbon capture projects, saying CO2 capture would make coal more earth-friendly. […]

Pink slip

I spent eight years working for the U.S. EPA. It was a foundational experience for me -- it gave me an excellent perspective on how environmental regulation works (and doesn't work). That said, I'm really much happier now that I'm doing my own gig, and I feel that leaving the EPA was in many ways the start of my real career.

Our friends at Friends of the Earth think that EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson might also enjoy a fresh start.

States, green groups to sue EPA for not regulating plane or ship emissions

Two separate coalitions of states, environmental groups, and state and local pollution regulators announced Thursday their respective intents to sue the U.S. EPA over its failure to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions from ships and planes; the group of states and pollution regulators is also suing over emissions from agricultural and construction equipment. The states, agencies, and […]

Grist talks to New Hampshire Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen

“We can’t depend just on oil,” says Democratic Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen. “I think people want choices. They understand that we’ve got to address this issue and they want some leadership to get it done.” Shaheen is taking a second shot at beating New Hampshire’s first-term Sen. John Sununu, a Republican with a mediocre record […]

Cheney, Johnson, and CO2

Since folks are calling for EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson to resign, it's perhaps time to reveal exactly why he has been such a stick in the mud on CO2.

Full hilarious details are now available, from satirist Harry Shearer's July 13 edition of Le Show: Listen to "Dick Cheney Confidential," minute 25:30. Very enlightening.

McCain compares Obama to Britney and Paris in new energy ad

In the ongoing energy ad battle, John McCain released another television ad today on the subject. Or at least it purports to be about energy. The ad juxtaposes video of Obama at his recent speech in Berlin with photos of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, and alleges that while he might be celebrated the world […]

Obama responds to McCain’s ‘Pump’ ad with call for higher mileage standards and renewables

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama released a new television ad on energy prices yesterday — a direct response to John McCain’s recent ad blaming Obama for high gas prices. “Have you seen John McCain’s TV ad?” the Obama ad asks. “John McCain is blaming Barack Obama for gas prices. The same old politics.” “Barack Obama […]

Four senators call for perjury investigation of EPA chief’s testimony

Four senators on the Environment and Public Works Committee have called for the resignation of EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and have asked the U.S. attorney general to investigate whether Johnson lied to Congress in a hearing about California’s greenhouse-gas emissions waiver. In a letter to the attorney general, the senators wrote, “[W]e believe that there […]

The offshore drilling hoax, part 2

In part 1 we saw that lifting the moratorium on coastal drilling can't possibly reduce gasoline prices. After all, two years ago, we opened most of the Gulf of Mexico -- with its estimated 41 billion barrels of oil -- and oil prices then doubled. The remaining prohibited coastal areas have only 18 billion barrels, of which 10 billion is off of California and likely to be blocked by the state. Another four of the 18 billion is in the Eastern Gulf off of Florida, which most Republican bills do not fully open for drilling since that would piss of Sen. Martinez.

Tom Cole, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, sent out an email (reprinted below) titled "Democrats Want You To Pay High Gas Prices." The email quotes a conservative publication claiming, "Given that lower gasoline prices would defeat the purpose of their entire environmental program, Democrats are in a very awkward position on the energy issue."

That is among the most laughable things I've read. It is conservatives who want high gas prices because energy companies are among their biggest donors, and high prices mean bigger profits. That's why Republicans have consistently opposed serious efforts on energy efficiency, fuel economy standards, conservation, and alternative for over a quarter of a century. That's why former maverick and now card-carrying hard-core conservative John McCain flip-flopped on this position.

Deep Throat said, "Follow the money." Duh!