Congress is heading back home for the August recess this week. Apparently our Senators need to rest after they failed to take up both a clean energy and climate bill and an oil spill bill. Legislative inaction must be more tiring than I … [Read more...]
Coal Barons Meeting Today in Hopes of Ending All Climate Debate for a Generation
Today, a bunch of coal executives are congregating for the West Virginia Coal Association annual meeting at the luxurious Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. One of the primary things they will discuss is the formation of a 527 … [Read more...]
Stop the Senate from Gutting the Clean Air Act!
Fortunately, not everyone is so clueless as the U.S. Senate appears to be right now. For instance, in yesterday's Politico, two energy investors – one Democrat, one Republican – explained what's at stake in … [Read more...]
My Kids Are Losers: Commentary on the Climate Debate
The climate bill blame game has begun. When I first started writing this post about the so-called death of the climate bill, I literally pointed the finger at just about everyone, including myself. The anger poured out, and I was frank … [Read more...]
Lessons from the “Enlightened Eight”: Republicans Can Vote Pro-Environment and Not Get “Tea Partied
On June 26, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 219-212 in favor of HR 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). Only eight Republicans - we'll call them the "Enlightened Eight" - voted "aye." These … [Read more...]
Edward James Olmos on the Definition of “Insanity”
Yesterday, the NRDC Action Fund launched a campaign featuring a powerful new ad by renowned environmental activist and celebrated actor, Edward James Olmos. In the video, which you can view here, Olmos explains what makes people - … [Read more...]
Oily Apologies vs. Clean Energy Momentum
It is yet another big week for clean energy. The President is having a group of bipartisan senators over to discuss how to get a clean energy bill moving that addresses the source of the gulf spill. One guy who won't be attending is … [Read more...]
Our Senators, the Climate Bill, and Tying Your Shoes with One Hand
Senator Rockefeller, for instance, said: "I am not here to deny or bicker fruitlessly about the science... In fact, I would suggest that I think the science is correct. Greenhouse gas emissions are not healthy for the Earth or her people, … [Read more...]
Obama or Bust: We Need Leadership from the Top
If you look at any of the 24X7 news shows or even the Today Show, you will see everyone proclaiming that there is an anti-incumbent mood spreading across America. There is good reason to say that as evidenced by the size of Tea Party … [Read more...]
National Tragedy Demands Real Response
Shared national experiences are pretty powerful things. Although one can't really compare a terrorist attack on our nation to a mechanical failure that causes catastrophic loss, the experience of communal mourning is still … [Read more...]