legislation

Meetings about clean energy conspicuously fail to identify the main barrier to it

There were two remarkable aspects of the National Clean Energy Summit: Federal policy recommendations from the varied speakers — scientists, business types, politicians — were largely in sync. In fact, I got sick of hearing the same policies touted over and over again: renewable tax credits, cap-and-trade, electricity grid improvements, efficiency standards, renewable mandates, increased […]

‘Gang of 10,’ part 2.5

Part 1 argued argued that the Democrats would be smart to compromise on offshore drilling. Part 2 began an analysis of the bipartisan compromise proposed by the “Gang of 10” senators, suggesting that deal isn’t so bad. I am interrupting this series to point out that the House GOP is so nervous that the Dems […]

In either an Obama or McCain adminstration, climate legislation will be back-burnered

Just months ago there was a palpable sense of optimism that no matter who is elected president this November that the U.S. would soon embark on serious climate change legislation. I think recent events have shown that the chances of that happening are slim to none. Let’s start with if McCain is elected. Today the […]

John McCain, who has missed several crucial energy votes, says he hasn’t

This is McCain interviewing Walter Isaacson at the Aspen Institute: "I have not missed any crucial vote." Says Satyam at ThinkProgress: McCain’s has actually missed several "crucial" energy votes. In July alone, he missed every single energy vote brought to the floor. This session, McCain has skipped votes supporting renewable energy tax credits four times, […]

EarthJustice challenges the legality of the draft plan for California’s AB 32

EarthJustice is challenging the legality of the draft release of California’s climate change program, AB 32. They say it fails to follow all of the statutory requirements. Specifically: This letter focuses on three primary deficiencies in the Draft Scoping Plan: first, the Draft Scoping Plan uses the 2020 greenhouse gas emission limit as a ceiling […]

Cuckoo bananas energy policy from House conservatives

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) personifies just how haywire House conservatives have gone lately, particularly on energy issues. She quickly made a name for herself after being elected to Congress in 2006. In fact, she gained some dubious notoriety even before being elected, announcing to a Brooklyn Park, Minnesota congregation in October 2006 that "God then […]

How much of a subsidy is the Price-Anderson Nuclear Industry Indemnity Act?

The answer is perhaps as high as a hundred billion dollars. First some background. I testified in front of the Senate Environment and Public Works committee in July. In my testimony, “The High Cost of Nuclear Power,” I pointed out the obvious — that nuclear is a mature source of power that has benefited disproportionately […]

New House bill combines drilling with tax extensions for renewables

A bipartisan group of House members has unveiled a new compromise energy bill, roughly along the lines of the Gang of 10 bill released in the Senate last week. “The National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act” would repeal federal prohibitions on offshore oil and gas production and lift the ban on finalizing regulations for […]

Since offshore oil is de minimis, why shouldn’t Obama and the Dems make a deal? Part 1

Getting something for nothing is always a good idea. Kudos to Senator Obama and other progressives for understanding this. The key questions are:

1. How much of a "nothing" is ending the congressional moratorium on offshore drilling?
2. How much of a "something" can progressives get by way of a serious effort to end our oil addiction once and for all?

Right now, it seems like conservatives are willing to hold their breath until they turn blue in the face before they agree to move any legislation whatsoever if it does not include coast drilling. Politically, they seem to have a winning argument in part because the media simply isn't policing the debate, even when people like McCain just repeat the lies of the oil industry over and over again. And in national politics, the side who doesn't have to explain their position usually wins.

I do think that agreeing to some coastal drilling now is de minimis as for two reasons: