Climate 411

On E2, Senate Democrats are ready to get to work on a comprehensive energy plan. This news

“comes a day after a Senate Democratic caucus meeting that, according to several lawmakers, revealed a strong interest among members in pressing ahead with legislation this year to boost alternative energy and reduce emissions.”

E2 also has a new study by the Center for American Progress warning that an “energy-only” bill will increase the budget deficit while a comprehensive approach would actually reduce the deficit. Study author and senior fellow Daniel J. Weiss notes that

“proposed global warming legislation…would actually generate enough revenue to reduce the deficit, prevent major price increases on consumers, and still invest in clean energy technologies. These bills would generate billions of dollars in revenue from the auction of ‘pollution allowances’ that the largest emitters must hold for every ton of greenhouse gas pollution emitted annually.”

Green Inc. asks “Is it energy’s turn now?” The answer seems to be yes, especially after the successful Democratic caucus on Thursday and the willingness of the President to throw his support behind the issue.

“President Obama hoped to give the matter a boost this week by calling a bipartisan group of senators to the White House for a pep talk, but he canceled at the last minute to deal with a crisis in his military leadership in Afghanistan. The president is now planning to host the energy meeting on Tuesday.”

Climate Progress has a new poll from the Wall Street Journal showing yet again that Americans support a comprehensive climate and energy bill. A thousand people were asked:

“Do you support or oppose an energy proposal designed to reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of alternative and renewable energy sources, even if it means an increase in the cost of energy?”

The majority said they would support the proposal. Treehugger also has the details.

Mother Jones highlights the joint statement issued by state and national environmental groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund, urging Senators to act on climate.

“With millions of gallons spilled in the Gulf of Mexico and a billion dollars a day going overseas for imported oil, we can no longer afford to delay our transition to clean energy. As President Obama told the nation last Tuesday night, “For decades we have failed to act with the sense of urgency that this challenge requires” and we must not “settle for the paltry limits of conventional wisdom.” The time has come to act.”

E2 reports that Thursday’s democratic caucus was a huge success.

“’A number of senators said this was the best caucus they’ve ever attended,’ Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) said at a press conference after the meeting. ‘It was really very, very powerful. It was inspirational, quite frankly.'”