I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't blogged since November 20, but I plead Thanksgiving on my lackluster online performance. Now I'm back with a bang after a hectic week in Washington.

The bailout of U.S. automakers has been on everyone's minds, including those behind the New York Times editorial page, which cites analysis NRDC released early this week. For the companies and workers who were relying on a bailout, late last night the Senate rejected a plan to aid the auto industry that the House passed earlier this week. While a bailout for Ford, GM and Chrysler may still be on the table, any deal should require these companies to retool. For America's automakers to remain competitive at a time of insecure markets, fluctuating energy prices, and rising temperatures, they will succeed only by making better, more efficient vehicles.

This week's intense - and often emotional - debate over the auto bailout highlights the failed policies of the Bush administration. With one of the worst environmental records in history, it is exciting to look ahead to what's next. Frances Beinecke, NRDC's president, notes that although President Bush made a campaign promise to end global warming, he appointed a controversial cabinet that moved an industry agenda rather than an environmental and climate agenda.

President-elect Obama's choices for top energy and environment positions paint a much different picture. Beinecke outlines why his choices for "Energy Czar," Head of the Department of Energy, Head of EPA, Head of Council for Environmental Quality, and Head of the Department of Commerce have bolstered confidence in this administration's commitments to protecting public health, ending global warming and advancing environmental stewardship.

There has been great buzz at NRDC, on Capitol Hill and in the broader environmental community around these choices, and already we are working with the incoming team to spur a green economic recovery. Earlier this week, 16 organizations handed over more than 80 proposals that would repower America with up to 4 million jobs, reduce pollution, save energy, protect public health and safety, and restore the environment. The documents we handed over to the transition team can be found out http://www.saveourenvironment.org/.

Although members of Congress have left Washington, I'm hopeful that they are combing through these proposals and assembling an economic recovery package that will not only create as many jobs as possible, but also end our dependence on dirty fuels and address global warming.