legislation

Party leaders in the House exchange heated notes about energy policy

The House energy battle is underway again this week, with votes on a bill possible as early as tomorrow. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released an outline of the Democrats’ bill last week; it would open some new areas to offshore drilling and provide support for efficiency and renewables. House Republicans are demanding a vote on […]

Big Oil whines that it’s something for nothing

The oil industry has figured out what I’ve been saying for weeks: The Senate Gang of 20 swap of limited, offshore drilling for lots of clean energy is something for nothing. I hope Congressional Dems figure that out, too, and vote for the darn thing in droves. The key fact to bear in mind is […]

Gang of 20 energy bill contains ‘most significant taxpayer-backed boost to nuclear power ever’

There’s heated debate in green circles about the Gang of 20 Senate energy bill — the New Energy Reform Act of 2008 — which would open up some offshore drilling in exchange for modest support for alternatives, paid for by closing tax loopholes that benefit the oil industry. What hasn’t gotten much press is that […]

House Republicans push their drilling agenda and Dems don’t counter

The House Democrats, like their presidential nominee, appear to be on the verge of walking away from a winning strategy. On Tuesday, I noted, it looked like they were going to embrace the "Gang of 10" position on offshore drilling, which is obviously the way to go from both a policy and strategic messaging point […]

WRI updates chart of greenhouse gas targets in 110th Congress

As Kate reported in June, there’s a new climate bill in the mix in Congress, a fairly ambitious bill from Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). The World Resources Institute has dutifully update its "Comparison of Legislative Climate Change Targets in the 110th Congress." Here’s the short story (click […]

Pick of B.O.S.S. Palin and McCain’s speech make it a must for Dems

The Senate bipartisan compromise on offshore drilling is, as I’ve argued, something for nothing. But the “Drill, baby, drill” Republican National Convention and the VP selection of Big Oil Super Shill (B.O.S.S.) Palin means McCain has doubled down on drilling. (I say it’s 50-50 that he makes the final flip-flop to embrace drilling in the […]

Congress goes back to work on energy

Before Congress’ recess, a minority of lawmakers continued to block critical measures that could help break America’s addiction to oil, give consumers real energy choices, recharge our economy, and help solve global warming. Legislation to extend production tax credits for solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable sources passed the House again and again only to […]

House GOP leaders call for their energy bill, or no energy bill at all

House Democrats are planning to co-opt the idea of an “all of the above” energy policy that the Republican congressional leadership has been pushing, offering them a bill that includes an expansion of offshore drilling, coupled with a renewable electricity mandate, energy-efficiency standards for buildings, and provisions to raise taxes on the oil industry. This […]

‘Gang of 10,’ part 3

Part 2 began an analysis of the bipartisan compromise proposed by the "Gang of 10" senators, suggesting that their deal isn’t so bad. The other evidence the deal isn’t so bad is that the House GOP is threatening to refuse to vote for it. The good of the five-year extension of the renewable tax credits […]