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  • Dems kick up a fuss over GOP’s styrofoam obsession

    Action shot of the GOP’s plan for America, shot by a congressional staffer and originally published by Treehugger.House Republicans are congratulating themselves for defeating biodegradable cups in congressional cafeterias, surely the greatest challenge facing our country. But for once, Democrats are fighting back, if by “fighting back” you mean “saying words.” Former Speaker of the […]

  • Telling the truth about climate change is good politics

    The GOP has united in rejecting climate science. Dems should tell the truth about climate change, without apology. It's smart long-term politics.

  • A Bipartisan Strategy for Energy Leadership

    By Teryn Norris & Clifton Yin When President Obama and key Senate leaders meet today to reach a compromise on energy and climate legislation, they should strongly consider increasing federal investment in clean energy technology to at least $15 billion annually. This is a comprehensive third-way strategy to improve U.S. energy independence, economic competitiveness, and […]

  • Republicans oppose Democratic climate plan in favor of alternatives that would cost more and do less

    When it comes to climate and energy, most political attention has focused on Democrats, which makes perfect sense — they’re in the majority and they’re the ones putting together a bill. How do you stop an elephant … and its bad ideas?Photo: Jared Rodriguez/truthout.org via FlickrBut it is worth pausing periodically to contemplate the utter […]

  • Are Senate Dems going to go for it on climate?

    On Thursday, the Senate Democratic caucus held a meeting and everyone emerged giddy as schoolchildren. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) called it “one of the most motivating, energized, and even inspirational caucuses that I’ve been a part of.” Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) called it “absolutely thrilling.” Said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), “It was really […]

  • Will Any Republicans Join Democrats in Holding BP Accountable?

    Steve Benen and Greg Sargent have been making an important point lately that hasn’t yet received the attention it deserves: to the extent that Republicans intend to oppose efforts to hold BP accountable this summer and fall, they are extremely vulnerable politically. Here’s Benen first, commenting on Republican confusion over just what lengths they should […]

  • New ‘Repower America’ ads target conservative Dem Senators on clean energy jobs

    Repower America, a project of Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection, unveiled a new ad campaign targeting senators in key states to win support for clean energy legislation to create green jobs.  The ads feature testimonials from elected leaders, small business owners, union workers and farmers who advocate for clean energy job creation in their […]

  • Are the South and the Midwest splitting on energy?

    There’s one interesting aspect of the Waxman-Markey vote worth highlighting in its own post. Ron Brownstein’s analysis contains this intriguing information: The sponsors also maintained substantial support for the legislation even in the Midwestern states expected to generate the most opposition because of their heavy reliance on coal for electricity. Overall 48 of the 60 […]

  • Analysis of Waxman-Markey vote from around the web

    What does Friday’s close Waxman-Markey vote in the House tell us? (The 219 yes votes represented exactly one more than the minimum necessary.) In an excellent analysis (complete with interactive map), National Journal‘s Ron Brownstein notes: Of the 49 House Democrats who represent districts that McCain carried last year, fully 29 voted against the measure. […]