legislation
-
![]()
![]()
Cash-for-Clunkers to end Monday night, for real this time
Photo: billadayThe “Cash for Clunkers” program has been so successful that it will have to be wrapped up earlier than expected, the Obama administration announced on Thursday. Folks looking to turn in their fuel-hogging old cars will need to get their deals finalized by this Monday, Aug. 24, at 8 p.m. EST in order to […]
-
![]()
![]()
Former Sen. Tim Wirth stirs up controversy over cap-and-trade, tries to tamp it down
Tim WirthTim Wirth — former Democratic senator from Colorado, former Clinton-era climate negotiator, and current U.N. Foundation president — raised quite a hubbub this week when he told Bloomberg news that the cap-and-trade bill in Congress had “gotten out of control.” “The Republicans are right — it’s a cap-and-tax bill,” Wirth said. “That’s what it […]
-
![]()
![]()
NRDC Action Fund goes on offense against opponents of climate action
The Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund is bashing representatives who voted against the House climate bill as “villains” and lauding reps who voted for it as “heroes” in a new campaign. With TV and newspaper ads and a website, the campaign is aimed at states whose senators are on the fence about passing a […]
-
![]()
![]()
More anti-climate-bill letters forged under names of senior-citizen groups
More fake letters opposing climate legislation have come to light, with this latest batch being falsely attributed to senior-citizen organizations. As we’ve reported previously, forged letters were sent to three U.S. representatives from Bonner and Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based group that specializes in astroturfing. Bonner was subcontracted by the PR firm Hawthorn Group to do […]
-
![]()
![]()
Industry groups launch astroturf ‘Energy Citizens’ website
The American Petroleum Institute has launched a website to promote its anti–climate bill astroturfing efforts. Site visitors can sign an e-petition to tell their lawmakers, “I call on Congress to reject climate change policies that could raise energy costs and eliminate American jobs.” The site also provides resources to help you “share your story” about […]
-
![]()
![]()
ConocoPhillips works to undermine climate bill, despite pledge to support climate action
ConocoPhillips is now actively campaigning against the House climate and energy bill — even though it’s a member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, an influential enviro-business coalition that played a key role in shaping the legislation. The company changed its tune shortly after the House passed the bill. On the ConocoPhillips website, visitors are […]
-
![]()
![]()
Sen. Arlen Specter says he won’t block debate on a climate bill this year
Addressing a crowd of liberal bloggers on Friday, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) said he would not block forward motion on priority issues for Democrats, and also said he expects to support the Obama administration’s plan to address climate change. Specter shook up Congress in April when he announced his switch to the Democratic Party. But […]
-
![]()
![]()
Astroturf wars continue as more info comes to light on ‘Energy Citizen’ rallies
News broke on Friday that the American Petroleum Institute is urging member companies to recruit their employees, retirees, vendors, and contractors to attend “Energy Citizen” events across the country over the August congressional recess. Today, we have some updates to the story: It’s not just energy interests backing the astroturf efforts; major conservative and anti-tax […]
-
![]()
![]()
Four Democratic senators call for delay on climate legislation
Four moderate Democratic senators — all considered swing votes on climate legislation — want a climate bill put off until next year. They say Congress should focus on passing health-care legislation. “The problem of doing both of them together is that it becomes too big of a lift,” Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) told Bloomberg. Sens. […]
