Climate 411

Climate legislation highlights from the blogosphere

In his online journal, Al Gore stressed his support for the American Power Act and its potential to reduce the deficit. Treehugger’s support was less enthusiastic although they still regard it as a step in the right direction.

The Center for American Progress highlights the green job creation and economic stimulus potential of the climate bill. The piece points especially to provisions that “target jobs toward construction workers, women, and people of color, while also supporting job training programs, educational grants, and investments in clean energy technologies.”

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Latest reports on the climate debate

On Grist, Frank Senso asks why the Gulf oil spill hasn’t done more to advance comprehensive climate and energy legislation. “A few weeks ago we talked to John Pemberton of Southern Company, who says that instead of furthering the debate over a climate bill, the oil spill as stalled it. The emotional power of the disaster will make congressional members less likely to compromise and take “small steps forward”: “We still have a long term energy debate in congress that is not going to solved with short term political decisions.”

Over at Treehugger, Brian Merchant speculates if utilities are supporting climate legislation in hopes of getting trading their support for exclusion from new EPA Clean Air Act regulations. Needless to say, he is opposed to this deal: “Giving the biggest, dirtiest polluters in the nation a license to dodge regulations in exchange for that is a tradeoff that’s simply not worth making.”

Christian Parenti of The Nation has a (lengthy but) good piece on Huffington Post stating that “the fastest, simplest way” to spur innovation and growth in clean energy and technology and away from fossil fuels, “is to reorient government procurement… to use the government’s vast spending power to create a market for green energy. After all, the government didn’t just fund the invention of the microprocessor; it was also the first major consumer of the device.”

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July 6th, 2010 – The voices of a new clean energy future

Kansas City StarGrowing Green Jobs: A Conversation with Mark Izeman

Greening the economy – and creating new green jobs – is absolutely critical to successfully tacking climate change and many other global environmental crises we face. And these new jobs can at the same time jumpstart our economy and address our distressing unemployment rates around the country, especially in low-income communities. So, hopefully in 40 years, green jobs will be such an integral part of our economy that we won’t even need to label such jobs as “green.”

Indianapolis Star – Seize the moment to embrace clean energy

By Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

At HUD, we recognize that homes are responsible for 20 percent of America’s carbon emissions, and that the long distances families have to drive to get to work and schools contributes to our dangerous dependence on oil. That’s why we’re coordinating with the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce our carbon footprint at the same time we connect where we live to where we work.

The Huffington Post– “July 4th: Hope and Freedom in America”

By Representative Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon

While we have not yet achieved freedom from our addiction to oil, the dramatic BP spill in the Gulf coupled with unprecedented investments in conservation and alternative energy make it more likely that we have a sustainable path for the future.

The House passed historic legislation to combat global warming and survey after survey show a majority of Americans still support comprehensive climate legislation. We all still have hope for the Senate.

The Voices of a New Clean Energy Future is a series from individuals who understand the importance of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation – business leaders, politicians, policy experts, and concerned citizens like you. EDF is proud to highlight their voices and contributions to the climate and energy debate.

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Latest reports on the climate debate

Dot Earth has Nobel Prize winner Burton Richter discussing how President Obama and the Senate should work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“I would start with those parts of the economy where the way to make progress is clear, the potential gains are large, and the required regulations are relatively simple. To me this says: Start by focusing on cars, electricity generation and efficiency.”

E2 shows President Obama pushing Senators to include a cap on carbon in the final energy package they bring to the floor.

“’The president was very clear about putting a price on carbon and limiting greenhouse gas emissions,’ Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said outside the White House after the 90-minute meeting between Obama and a bipartisan group of about 20 senators.”

Also on E2, Senator Merkley explains that

“President Obama has stressed the importance of including a “cap and trade” system in forthcoming energy legislation.”

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June 30th, 2010 – The voices of a new clean energy future

The Huffington Post “Climate Backslide! As Public Opinion Moves One Way, Politicians Go the Other”

By Brendan DeMelle, freelance writer and researcher

“Yet there is still reason for hope. In the wake of G20 inaction, visionary leadership is being found at the local level. Increasingly, municipal and state leaders, institutions, individual citizens, and even progressive corporations who have long since been convinced of the need for action are getting to work to lower their carbon impact.”

“People around the world will not tolerate further inaction, as demonstrated by the outrage over BP’s Deepwater disaster and other blatant symptoms of global fossil fuel addiction. And while many are taking matters into their own hands, we still need leaders to lead.”

Indystar.com “We’re paying for our oil dependence”

By Indiana Congressman Andre Carson

“No longer is the focus solely on future projections or abstract scientific models. The consequences of our addiction to oil are immediate. They’re real, and they’re on full display with the devastation being wrought by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.”

“This ongoing disaster in the Gulf should be our call to action. It is time to finally enact comprehensive clean energy legislation that will end our dangerous addiction to oil, develop alternative energy sources and kick-start a green economy that will drive job growth and investment.”

The Voices of a New Clean Energy Future is a series from individuals who understand the importance of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation – business leaders, politicians, policy experts, and concerned citizens like you. EDF is proud to highlight their voices and contributions to the climate and energy debate.

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June 29, 2010 – The voices of a new clean energy future

Post-gazette.com“We must change our oil-guzzling ways”

By Aaron Misera of Lower Burrel

“The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is obviously a terrible incident. However, it truly is a metaphor for America and our arrogance toward energy and environmental policy, not to mention the American lifestyle. Our unquenchable thirst for cheap, dirty, limited fuel pushes our ingenuity and technology to create a disaster.”

“Oil is limited, but our ingenuity and drive are endless, so let’s use these for the better of our society and change ourselves.”

NewHavenRegister.com“China’s solar lead should spur US”

By Bruce Deegan of North Branford

“As the ongoing catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico continues, it’s pretty obvious how badly we need to begin moving away from dependence on oil and toward a future of cleaner, renewable energy. This would not only be a valuable source of desperately needed jobs, but also create a more sustainable future.”

“The time for dithering is over; now’s the time for Congress to enact a transformative energy policy that can sensibly and reliably meet the needs of our nation for the 21st century.”

The Voices of a New Clean Energy Future is a series from individuals who understand the importance of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation – business leaders, politicians, policy experts, and concerned citizens like you. EDF is proud to highlight their voices and contributions to the climate and energy debate.

Posted in Climate Change Legislation, News, Policy / Comments are closed