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Opportunity to Repower America, Invest in Clean Energy

Former Vice President Al Gore calls it "the most important environmental vote of this generation." President Obama says it would "open the door to a better future for this nation." Legislation that caps global warming pollution and builds a clean energy future would create millions of new jobs, refuel the U.S. economy and improve the nation's health and security. NRDC experts analyze the action in Congress.

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Clean Energy Promises Abundant Opportunities for Job Growth and Farm Revenues in Arkansas — the 'Natural' State

Clean Energy Promises Abundant Opportunities for Job Growth and Farm Revenues in Arkansas — the 'Natural' State

(From the new Arkansas Clean Energy Report, Figure 1: Mean wind density at 100 meters) ". . . Arkansas has the opportunity to build a strong long-term economy on the solid foundation of its bountiful renewable resources." Today we...continued

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Arkansas, bioenergy, biofuels, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, energyimports, renewable, windenergy

Clean Energy Is Good for America, Whether You Believe in Climate Change or Not

Clean Energy Is Good for America, Whether You Believe in Climate Change or Not

On Wednesday, Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, the head of the fourth largest coal company in the nation, said in an interview that "I deny that there is any science that supports global warming." While it baffles me that...continued

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blankenship, cleanenergycommonsense, coalmining, deniers, energyandclimate2009, fgbbook, freidman, globalwarming, greenjobs, jobs, laborunions, massey, mountaintopremoval, nationalsecurity, oiladdiction

Obama's China Trip: A Breakthrough on Clean Energy and Climate

Obama's China Trip: A Breakthrough on Clean Energy and Climate

Earlier this week, NRDC's China program director Barbara Finamore was at China's official state guesthouse--the same spot President Nixon stayed when he opened U.S.-China relations in 1972--when U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that the United States and China...continued

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china, chinaenergy, cleancars, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, efficientbuildings, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, globalwarming, hujintao

The US Chamber Needs to Get Its Story Straight

The US Chamber Needs to Get Its Story Straight

The US Chamber seems to be going to great lengths these days persuade Congress that it really wants to help pass climate legislation. But a very different message is coming through its blogs, tweets and unscripted comments. We think everyone...continued

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capandtrade, cejapa, climate, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, uschamberofcommerce

Water and Ecosystems a Focus at Barcelona Climate Change Talks

Water and Ecosystems a Focus at Barcelona Climate Change Talks

  We tend to think of climate change as an air pollution problem, or a threat to our atmosphere, but in fact water and especially watery ecosystems (wetlands, mangroves, mountainous cloud forests, and more) will play a major role in...continued

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adaptation, climate, copenhagencountdown, drinkingwater, energyandclimate2009

This Is Not a Political Screed, It Is Common Sense for Our Energy Future

This Is Not a Political Screed, It Is Common Sense for Our Energy Future

There are a lot of people in America right now who hear claims on both sides of the climate change debate and aren't sure what to believe. These are some of the people I hope to reach with my...continued

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cleanenergycommonsense, economy, energyandclimate2009, fgbbook, georgia, globalwarming, jobs

Obama's Trip to China: a New Interest in Clean Tech and a New Spirit of Cooperation

Obama's Trip to China: a New Interest in Clean Tech and a New Spirit of Cooperation

As President Obama heads to China, it is important to recognize just how much has changed in the past year. For the first time ever, an American president is traveling to Beijing with the issue of climate change at the...continued

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china, cleanenergy, cleantech, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, obama

Talking with Ban Ki-Moon about His Hopes for Copenhagen

Talking with Ban Ki-Moon about His Hopes for Copenhagen

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is hopeful that the December climate conference in Copenhagen will be elevated to the head-of-state level, assuring that the session will receive top-order attention from the world's leaders. He told me that on Tuesday when...continued

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ban ki moon, cleanenergycommonsense, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, fgbbook, kerry-boxer

Veterans, Clean Energy and Common Sense

Veterans, Clean Energy and Common Sense

Another Veterans' Day is upon us, a time to reflect on our armed servicemen and women who are stationed around the world to protect us.  Many of these brave soldiers, sailors and marines have spent years serving in Afghanistan, Iraq...continued

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cleanenergy, energyandclimate2009, greenjobs, kerry-boxer, operationfree, veterans

LIVE: Ask NRDC President Frances Beinecke Tuesday, 11/10 at 9:45 a.m. EST

LIVE: Ask NRDC President Frances Beinecke Tuesday, 11/10 at 9:45 a.m. EST

The Senate has started debating the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, and in just a few weeks, the United Nations climate meetings in Copenhagen will begin. I have chosen this moment to release my first book, Clean...continued

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climatechange, climatelegislation, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, fgbbook, globalwarming, greenchat

If the Green Economy Is Coming, America Must Start Leading Now

If the Green Economy Is Coming, America Must Start Leading Now

Last week, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said, "The green economy is coming. We can either follow or lead." The senator was explaining why he supports the clean energy and climate legislation that is currently before the Senate. His words...continued

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cleanenergycommonsense, cleantech, climatechange, climatelegislation, energyandclimate2009, fgbbook, globalwarming, graham, greenjobs, indiana, laborunions, manufacturing, steelworkers

Starting a Clean Energy Revolution with Common Sense

Starting a Clean Energy Revolution with Common Sense

I have been an environmental advocate for more than 35 years. And throughout that time, I have written policy briefs, magazine articles, and blog posts, but never before had I been inspired to write a book.  That changed several months...continued

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CBO, cleanenergy, cleanenergycommonsense, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, fgbbook, globalwarming, nationalsecurity

American Corn Growers Association Pushes for Senate Climate Bill by Year’s End

American Corn Growers Association Pushes for Senate Climate Bill by Year’s End

In a statement released yesterday by its President Keith Bolin, the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) added its voice to the rapidly growing number of industry groups across the U.S. economy supporting the U.S. Senate's effort to pass comprehensive federal...continued

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agriculture, capandtrade, CEJAPA, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, farmers, offsets, renewableenergy

More than 100 Elite Economists Agree: Global Warming is a Risk to the Economy

More than 100 Elite Economists Agree: Global Warming is a Risk to the Economy

Earlier this week, some political theater unfolded during hearings before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. As Chairwoman Boxer prepared to move forward with climate and energy legislation, opponents boycotted the session, claiming they need to do more...continued

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boxer, CBO, climatelegislation, economy, energyandclimate2009, EPA, globalwarming, kerry-boxer, lisajackson

Gore's New Book and Why the Choice of Clean Energy Is Ours to Make

Gore's New Book and Why the Choice of Clean Energy Is Ours to Make

I love the title of Al Gore's new book, Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis. Not only does it broadcast the fact that global warming can be solved, but it also reminds us that the decision to...continued

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cleanenergy, cleanenergycommonsense, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, gore, kerry-boxer

Boxer Maneuvers around Paralysis by Analysis Gambit

Boxer Maneuvers around Paralysis by Analysis Gambit

Minority members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) followed through on their threat to boycott the scheduled markup of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S.1733) today, demanding more analysis of the bill before they...continued

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capandtrade, carboncaps, CEJAPA, climatechange, energyandclimate2009

The Wheels of the Clean Energy Economy

The Wheels of the Clean Energy Economy

In a previous post, I asked why we don't consider the federal transportation bill a major energy bill. Leaving that question aside, on Friday, Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer introduced a bill that couldn't be mistaken for anything else:...continued

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CEJAPA, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, greenjobs, kerry-boxer, pollution, senate, smartgrowth, transportation

U.S. Climate Bill Unlocks Path to Preventing Dangerous Global Warming

U.S. Climate Bill Unlocks Path to Preventing Dangerous Global Warming

One of the chief talking points of opponents of US clean energy and climate legislation is the claim that the bills working their way through Congress would have little impact on global warming.  Taking US action in isolation, they claim...continued

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ACES, cleanenergyjobsact, climatechangenegotiations, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, developingcountries, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, UNFCCC

Clean Energy Jobs and Climate Legislation

Clean Energy Jobs and Climate Legislation

This is a big week in Washington for clean energy legislation. Marathon hearings are taking place in the U.S. Senate. Yesterday, President Obama announced the largest investment in energy grid technology in U.S. history. And Vice President Biden let us...continued

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biden, cleanenergy, climate, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, obama

Senate Climate Bill Also a Clean Energy Bargain According to EPA

Senate Climate Bill Also a Clean Energy Bargain According to EPA

Last Friday EPA released its analysis of S.1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (CEJAPA), which will be the subject of marathon legislative hearings this week. EPA found that, like the ACES bill that passed the House in...continued

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ACES, carboncaps, CEJAPA, energyandclimate2009, EPA

Latest Draft of Senate Climate Bill: What's Good and What Needs Work

Latest Draft of Senate Climate Bill: What's Good and What Needs Work

Last Friday, Senators Kerry and Boxer released a more detailed draft of the clean energy and climate legislation they introduced last month. This new version brings welcome clarity and offers an excellent starting point for Senate Environment and Public Works...continued

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bioenergy, biomass, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, globalwarming, kerry-boxer

Ecologists to the rescue

Ecologists to the rescue

A group of prominent ecologists and climate scientists have an important article coming out in tomorrow's issue of Science, in which they call for "fixing a critical climate accounting error." The error is ignoring a significant source of global warming pollution...continued

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ACES, carboncaps, carbondioxide, CEJAPA, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarming pollution

Retired military general and young creative protestors agree: The US must help the world’s poor adapt to climate change

Retired military general and young creative protestors agree:  The US must help the world’s poor adapt to climate change

Yesterday a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss helping the "world's most vulnerable nations" to respond to the droughts, floods and refugees created by climate change. In general, the Senators and witnesses agreed that the US should...continued

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adaptation, climate, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, senate

Young Veterans Tell Congress: Cleaner Energy Is Safer for America

Young Veterans Tell Congress: Cleaner Energy Is Safer for America

I have read plenty of briefings about the national security risks posed by climate change, but it is far more powerful to hear about them from people who have seen the grave consequences of our oil dependence first hand: veterans...continued

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afghanistan, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, iraq, moveamericabeyondoil, nationalsecurity, operationfree, securityrisk, veterans

Don't read the headlines, read the story: Climate legislation is more than affordable

Don't read the headlines, read the story: Climate legislation is more than affordable

In testimony before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee yesterday, director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Douglas W. Elmendorf, testified that climate change legislation passed by the House last June (the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES),...continued

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$160, 3.5, ACES, capandtrade, CBO, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, climatelegislation, costs, economics, EIA, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, EPA, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, models, october15, smears, testimony, waxmanmarkey

Young Climate Warriors: Use Your Voice as well as Your Passion

Young Climate Warriors: Use Your Voice as well as Your Passion

I recently spent two days at MIT talking with students about global warming, and it was one of the most inspiring things I have done in awhile. I loved hearing how fired up these young people are to invent the...continued

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bad09, cleanenergy, cleantech, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, graham, kerry-boxer, powershift, youthmovement

How about wine, a documentary & a little e-activism this evening?

How about wine, a documentary & a little e-activism this evening?

It's Blog Action Day today - an event that brings together more than 6,900 bloggers to take online action on global warming. This is the largest single social action event on the web and NRDC is a partner. As I was...continued

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acidification, acidtest, bad09, blogactionday, carbondioxide, climatebill, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, huffingtonpost, oceanacidification, oceans, senate, sigourneyweaver

Cautiously Optimistic that the Climate Bill Is Gaining Ground

Cautiously Optimistic that the Climate Bill Is Gaining Ground

The game changed on Sunday. The New York Times op-ed written by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator John Kerry calling for clean energy and climate legislation transformed the debate from "maybe some time in the next year or...continued

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chamberofocommerce, cleanenergy, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, kerry-boxer

Game Changer: Kerry-Graham Op Ed Dramatically Enhances Prospects for Senate Climate Bill this Year

Game Changer: Kerry-Graham Op Ed Dramatically Enhances Prospects for Senate Climate Bill this Year

Sunday's New York Times Op-Ed by Senators John Kerry (D-Ma) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) begins: CONVENTIONAL wisdom suggests that the prospect of Congress passing a comprehensive climate change bill soon is rapidly approaching zero. ...However, we refuse to accept the...continued

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ACES, carboncaps, CEJAPA, climatechange, energyandclimate2009

Nobel Prize Recognizes Link between Peace and Climate Action

Nobel Prize Recognizes Link between Peace and Climate Action

For the second time in three years, the Nobel Peace Prize has highlighted the importance of U.S. leadership in curbing global climate change. The message is unmistakable: our friends and allies around the world are counting on us to lead,...continued

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algore, climatelegislation, copenhagen, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, nationalsecurity, nobelprize, obama

Analysis of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

Analysis of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

On September 30th Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.  This important step toward enacting effective and sustainable climate and energy policy will help power our economic recovery by investing in clean...continued

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boxer, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming pollution, greenjobs, kerry, senate

A Really Bad Idea: Drill Offshore and Use Revenues for Solar in Florida

A Really Bad Idea: Drill Offshore and Use Revenues for Solar in Florida

A surprise headline from NY Times Green Inc. Blog earlier this week: "Florida Solar Group Backs Offshore Drilling" Say what?  In a release last week, the Florida branch of the Solar Energy Industries Association [FL SEIA] announced its support for...continued

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coralreefs, energyandclimate2009, florida, oceanacidification, offshoredrilling, oil, RPS, solar, tourism

Indiana Primed to Be a Renewable Energy Hub For America

Indiana Primed to Be a Renewable Energy Hub For America

Today, NRDC released the report, "A Clean Energy Economy for Indiana: Analysis of the Rural Economic Development Potential of Renewable Resources".  The report shows that Indiana is poised for a major clean energy job creation boom, which would be...continued

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agriculture, biofuels, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, farmers, greenjobs, heartland, indiana, kerry-boxer, renewableenergy, RPS

Tell Your Senators to Save Our National Parks from Global Warming

Tell Your Senators to Save Our National Parks from Global Warming

I still remember my first visit to a national park. I was nine years old, and my family traveled to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. For a child from Northern New Jersey, it was a revelation. I was stunned by...continued

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biogems, climatelegislation, conservation, energyandclimate2009, glacier, glaciernationalpark, globalwarming, grandtetons, joshuatree, kenburns, nationalparks, rockymountainwest, roosevelt, saguaro, wildlands, wildlife, wyoming

Senate’s Climate Bill Puts Green Collar on Carbon

Senate’s Climate Bill Puts Green Collar on Carbon

Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer have introduced a "green" price collar on carbon under their draft climate bill that should be applauded by emitters and environmentalists alike. A green price collar that will; 1) maintain the integrity of the...continued

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ACES, carbonmarkets, carbontrading, energyandclimate2009, energyspeculation, energytrading, greenpricecollar, kerryboxer, pricecollar

Adapting to Global Warming: $100 Billion Says World Bank (Give or Take a Little Social Change)

Adapting to Global Warming: $100 Billion Says World Bank (Give or Take a Little Social Change)

The typhoon Ketsana is pouring down on Bangkok this morning as I ready myself for day four of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meetings.  Representatives of countries and hundreds of civil society organizations will continue to meet...continued

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adaptation, bangkok, climate, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, worldbank

Senate Climate Bill Passes 2 Billion Ton Test

Senate Climate Bill Passes 2 Billion Ton Test

In a previous post I argued that the fundamental test for any climate and energy bill is the total reduction in global warming pollution it will achieve. The ACES bill passed by the House in June would reduce emissions by...continued

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ACES, carboncaps, cleanenergy, cleanenergyjobsact, energyandclimate2009, senate

New Report: National Parks in Peril from Climate Change

New Report: National Parks in Peril from Climate Change

Climate Change is the greatest threat our national parks have ever faced. That's the conclusion of a new report we're releasing today, along with the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization. National Parks in Peril highlights the 25 national parks most at...continued

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ACES, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, nationalparks, parks, wilderness

The Senate's Clean Energy and Climate Bill: The Right Step at the Right Time

The Senate's Clean Energy and Climate Bill: The Right Step at the Right Time

Senators Boxer and Kerry have just released a strong bill that will help America curb climate change and strengthen our economy. The bill, called the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, is the right step at the right time....continued

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climatelegislation, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, greenjobs, senatorboxer

Lawmakers Watch NRDC's film ACID TEST on Capitol Hill

Lawmakers Watch NRDC's film ACID TEST on Capitol Hill

I was on Capitol Hill yesterday, with my dear friend Sigourney Weaver and Senator Lautenberg, to do a screening of NRDC's new film Acid Test, and to talk about how to protect our oceans from carbon pollution. The timing was just right. We knew that on...continued

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acidification, acidtest, carbonemissions, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, oceanacidification, oceans

At the Confluence of Water Use and Energy Production

At the Confluence of Water Use and Energy Production

On my commute on the NYC subway this morning (which by the way I discovered is decreasing in carbon intensity), I came across this New York Times story, "Alternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need for Water" by Todd Woody...continued

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concentratingsolar, csp, desert, energyandclimate2009, nuclear, nytimes, solarenergy, Southwest

Senate Gets Rolling with American Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

Senate Gets Rolling with American Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer kicked off the Senate's effort to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation today by introducing the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.  The Environment and Public Works Committee, which Sen. Boxer chairs, is...continued

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boxer, energyandclimate2009, kerry, senate

Climate Bill: More Jobs, Less Pollution, Greater Security

Climate Bill: More Jobs, Less Pollution, Greater Security

Move over healthcare and make room for legislation to tackle the climate crisis.  Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer just introduced a comprehensive clean energy and climate plan: the Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act.  I wholeheartedly agree with President...continued

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cleanenergy, cleanenergyjobs&americanpoweract, climate, climatebill, climatelegislation, dirtyenergy, energy, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, obama

US Chamber Calls for Global Powers for Congress

US Chamber Calls for Global Powers for Congress

I couldn't help wonder what kind of stories the Chamber hoped to generate with the statement it issued earlier today. So I leaned back, closed my eyes, and used my imagination: US Chamber Emerges as Unlikely Hero for Climate Protection;...continued

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climate, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, smears, uschamberofcommerce

Comprehensive Clean Energy and Climate Protection Legislation Could Create Up to 1.9 Million Jobs

Comprehensive Clean Energy and Climate Protection Legislation Could Create Up to 1.9 Million Jobs

As Senators Kerry and Boxer prepare to introduce a comprehensive clean energy and climate protection bill in the Senate, a new analysis by researchers at UC Berkeley confirms that similar legislation can strengthen our economy and create jobs.  The new study...continued

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ACES, cap2.0, carboncaps, cleanenergy, energyandclimate2009, jobs

A lesson in math, science, and economics for Bjorn Lomborg

A lesson in math, science, and economics for Bjorn Lomborg

Bjorn Lomborg, a long time climate skeptic, published an article yesterday in the Washington Post, asserting that reducing carbon emissions would cost the world 40 times more than any benefits we could expect to get. He claims his argument is...continued

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ACES, capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, climatelegislation, costlycarboncuts, costs, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, lomborg, models, waxmanmarkey, world'spoor

More on Debate over Waxman-Markey

More on Debate over Waxman-Markey

Given the link from Andrew Sullivan, I wanted to address a couple additional points in Jim Manzi's recent post on climate change. He and I had exchanged perspectives on the topic a few months back, and it appears we may...continued

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capandtrade, energyandclimate2009, markettransformation, policy, waxmanmarkey

Sigourney Weaver & I take ACID TEST, our new documentary, to Capitol Hill

Sigourney Weaver & I take ACID TEST, our new documentary, to Capitol Hill

My good friend and narrator of NRDC's new documentary on ocean acidification, actress Sigourney Weaver, joined me to co-write my blog today to discuss our screening of the film on Capitol Hill, as the Senate prepares to take up the...continued

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ACES, acidtest, capitolhill, cleanenergy, climatebill, energyandclimate2009, oceanacidification, sigourneyweaver

100 Montana Businesses Support Strong Climate and Energy Legislation

100 Montana Businesses Support Strong Climate and Energy Legislation

There has been a lot of attention paid to PG&E, PNM Resources, Nike and Johnson & Johnson for their public condemnation of the US Chamber position on climate change and their support for federal policy to promote clean energy and...continued

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CERES, climate, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, johnson&johnson, nike, PG&E, PNM

Climate Week: Check the Highlight Reel

Climate Week:  Check the Highlight Reel

The G-20 meeting will conclude later today here in Pittsburgh, but we can say already that for climate policy, this has not been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon.  Here's my highlight reel for the week:   Court rings bell on...continued

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autoindustry, china, cleanairact, cleancars, climate negotiations, copenhagencountdown, endangerment, energyandclimate2009, lisa jackson, lisa murkowski

The G20, Climate Talks, and Trade Measures: Keeping Jobs in America

The G20, Climate Talks, and Trade Measures: Keeping Jobs in America

The G20 Summit has arrived in Pittsburgh on the heels of the Climate Summit in New York. These back-to-back meetings on the world's climate and the world's economy signify that protecting the planet has economic dimensions.  So let's ask the question that's on...continued

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alcoa, allowances, climatelegislation, climateweek, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, G20, greenjobs, laborunions, manufacturing, pittsburgh, steelworkers, trade, tradeadjustment, USCAP

Nicholas Institute Study Finds ACES Will Yield Gains for U.S. Farmers

Nicholas Institute Study Finds ACES Will Yield Gains for U.S. Farmers

A new report released by Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions adds to a growing body of analysis, including a recent study by USDA, which shows how U.S. farmers are well-positioned to gain from clean energy and climate...continued

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ACES, agriculture, bioenergy, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, farmers, offsets

President Obama Calls for Action on Climate at the UN

President Obama Calls for Action on Climate at the UN

"Unease is no excuse for inaction." These were President Obama's words at the United Nations in his most significant speech on climate change since taking office, setting the tone for a bold vision that will hold the U.S.-- and...continued

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boxer, cleanenergy, climatechange, climateweek, congress, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, obama, senate

PG&E, Nike Fed Up With US Chamber

PG&E, Nike Fed Up With US Chamber

Hot News: PG&E is quitting the US Chamber of Commerce over the business federation's "extreme position on climate change." Coming just days after questions about potential conflicts of interest posed by Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue's service to Union...continued

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BICEP, CERES, climate, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, nike, PG&E, uschamberofcommerce

Tied to the Rails: US Chamber President Tom Donohue and Union Pacific (part II)

Tied to the Rails: US Chamber President Tom Donohue and Union Pacific (part II)

Last week I raised questions about US Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue's potential conflict of interest on the subject of climate change because of his ties to giant coal transporter Union Pacific Railroad (UNP), which opposed the American Clean...continued

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ACES, archcoal, climate, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, peabody, smears, unionpacific, uschamberofcommerce

"Climate Week" and My Talks with China's Top Negotiator

Climate Week has begun, and as foreign dignitaries descend on the United Nations and the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting, I think most of the world's nations will be singing a shared refrain: it is time for the United States...continued

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beijing, carbonemissions, china, cleanenergy, climatenegotiations, coalfiredpowerplants, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009

CBO Analysis: Clean Energy for Less

CBO Analysis: Clean Energy for Less

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released an analysis on Sept 17. that confirms a modest short-term cost for comprehensive clean energy legislation - around $160 per household per year - or roughly 43 cents per household per day by 2020....continued

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$160, 3.5, ACES, capandtrade, cbo, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, climatelegislation, costs, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, models, scc, socialcostofcarbon, waxmanmarkey

September Surprise: Clean Energy Bill could be (very) good for U.S. oil production

September Surprise: Clean Energy Bill could be (very) good for U.S. oil production

It really should come as no surprise that clean energy legislation (America's Clean Energy and Security Act, or ACES), which was passed by the House and now is being considered in the Senate, will be good for our economy.  The...continued

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ACES, cap2.0, co2eor, energyandclimate2009, energysecurity, EOR, nationalsecurity, oildependence, waxmanmarkey

A Clean Energy Bargain; Containing Costs by Investing in Energy Efficiency, Renewables and then High-Quality Offsets

A Clean Energy Bargain; Containing Costs by Investing in Energy Efficiency, Renewables and then High-Quality Offsets

NRDC released the results of its year-long economic analysis of clean energy and climate protection legislation today. A summary of our main findings can be found here but I'd like to highlight some specific findings on the role of offsets....continued

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ACES, cap2.0, capandtrade, energyandclimate2009, markettransformation, offsets

A Clean Energy Bargain

A Clean Energy Bargain

Earlier today NRDC released a Policy Brief summarizing economic analysis of clean energy and climate protection legislation that we have been working on for more than a year. We know that the Senate debate on this legislation will turn largely...continued

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ACES, cap2.0, carboncaps, co2, energyandclimate2009

Climate Bill Slanders

Climate Bill Slanders

Climate Bill Cost Claims:  "Correspondent" Falls Down on Job It seems that more and more opponents to action on clean energy and climate protection are succumbing to a virus more virulent than swine flu: the inability to tell the truth...continued

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cap2.0, CEI, declanmccullagh, energyandclimate2009, obamaadministration

Are Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue's Ties to Union Pacific Railroading the Companies that Support Climate Policy?

Are Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue's Ties to Union Pacific Railroading the Companies that Support Climate Policy?

Why is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on such a different page from its major members when it comes to climate change legislation? Last spring we raised the question of who the US Chamber of Commerce is really representing when...continued

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alcoa, archcoal, donohue, dow, duke, energyandclimate2009, johnson&johnson, nike, peabody, PNM, smears, unionpacific, UNP, uschamberofcommerce, westernfuels

The 2 Billion Ton Test

The 2 Billion Ton Test

Senators returned from their August recess with lots of ideas about how they would like to change the comprehensive clean energy and climate protection bill the House passed in June. This is a normal, and in many respects, healthy part...continued

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ACES, carboncaps, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming pollution, senate

ACCCE's Newest Forgery and Latest Loss

ACCCE's Newest Forgery and Latest Loss

Military veterans and former Sen John Warner got a an unwelcome surprise yesterday when they gathered at the White House to discuss their concerns about national security threats related to climate change. It turns more of their fellow veterans have...continued

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ACCCE, climate, coal, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, peabody

More good news for climate protection: Study finds benefits swamp the costs

More good news for climate protection: Study finds benefits swamp the costs

America has a historic opportunity to lead the world in an energy transformation, create millions of clean energy jobs, and protect itself from dangerous dependence on foreign oil, all while protecting the planet from the most dangerous impacts of global...continued

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ACES, benefits, capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, co2mediaguide, congressionalbudgetoffice, costbenefitanalysis, departmentofenergy, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyinformationadministration, environmentalprotectionagency, fossilfuels, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, householdcost, interagencytaskforce, othersideofthecoin, scc, socialcostofcarbon, waxmanmarkey

Real People in America Support Clean Energy

Real People in America Support Clean Energy

Amidst all the fake opposition to clean energy, some real people have been stepping forward to urge the US Congress to move forward on clean energy. One day after an enthusiastic rally in Gary IN, at which NRDC President Frances...continued

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bluegreenalliance, cleanenergy, climate, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, greenjobs

Let Your Lawmakers Know that the Clock Is Ticking on the Climate Bill

Let Your Lawmakers Know that the Clock Is Ticking on the Climate Bill

Congress has returned to work on one of the most ambitious legislative agendas we have seen in years. What does this mean for people who support clean energy and climate legislation? It means the urgency has never been greater. Three...continued

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astroturf, boxer, climatelegislation, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, greenjobs, reid

NAM/ACCF: Distorting their own distorted analysis of climate legislation

NAM/ACCF: Distorting their own distorted analysis of climate legislation

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF) are at it again, this time running full throttle scare ads across the country (click here for an example) against the American Clean Energy and Security...continued

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ACCF, ACES, capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, climatelegislation, co2mediaguide, costs, debunk, draftanalysis, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, EPA, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, models, NAM, rebuttal, waxmanmarkey

Fossil Fuels 101?

Fossil Fuels 101?

Well, my comments in a New York Times piece about natural gas have certainly provoked a lot of reaction, including some who thought I was arguing that coal is a better fuel from a climate standpoint than natural gas.  Not...continued

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cleanenergy, co2emissions, coal, energyandclimate2009, naturalgas, powerplants

Let Your Lawmakers Know that the Clock Is Ticking on the Climate Bill

Let Your Lawmakers Know that the Clock Is Ticking on the Climate Bill

Congress has returned to work on one of the most ambitious legislative agendas we have seen in years. What does this mean for people who support clean energy and climate legislation? It means the urgency has never been greater. Three...continued

Tags:
astroturf, climatelegislation, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, greeneconomy, laborunions, steelworkers

Talking Green Jobs with Steelworkers in Gary, Indiana

Talking Green Jobs with Steelworkers in Gary, Indiana

On Tuesday afternoon, I traveled through the ailing industrial parks of Gary, Indiana to talk with steelworkers in a large union hall. I had come to attend the Made in America rally and to hear union leaders and EPA Administrator...continued

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energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, greenjobs, indiana, laborunions, lisajackson, madeinamerica, steelworkers, windturbines

A Surprise Way to Keep Our Beaches Clean: Pass a Climate Bill

A Surprise Way to Keep Our Beaches Clean: Pass a Climate Bill

For the more than two decades I have been working to clean up our nation's beaches and waterways, the Clean Water Act has been the primary tool of my trade. But this year, I have a new solution to turn...continued

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beaches, beachreport, beachwater, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, pollution, sewage, stormwater, testingthewaters

Workers Rally for Green Jobs, Not Astroturf

Workers Rally for Green Jobs, Not Astroturf

This week, the Made in America tour heads to Gary, Indiana, where workers will rally in support of green jobs and climate legislation. These men and women recognize that Gary's ailing steel plants can be revived by producing parts for...continued

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astroturf, cleanenergy, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, greenjobs, indiana, laborunions, simplesteps, steelworkers

Post/ABC Poll Shows Oil- and Coal-Funded Astroturf Efforts to Kill Clean Energy Are Failing

Post/ABC Poll Shows Oil- and Coal-Funded Astroturf Efforts to Kill Clean Energy Are Failing

The Washington Post is reporting this morning that according to joint poll conducted with ABC News, a majority of Americans support Obama's and Congress' efforts to overhaul US energy policy, and that support includes passage of comprehensive climate and energy...continued

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ACCCE, astroturf, climate, energyandclimate2009, exxon, globalwarming, koch, peabody, smears

The New Tar Sands Oil Pipeline: A Junkie's Last Fix

The New Tar Sands Oil Pipeline: A Junkie's Last Fix

Having recently returned from the extensive tar sands oil fields of Alberta, I was alarmed to learn that our State Department just approved a new pipeline for funneling tar sands fuel straight into the U.S. Midwest. This decision locks us...continued

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alberta, borealforest, cleanenergy, dirtyfuels, energyandclimate2009, fuelefficiency, globalwarming, pipeline, tarsands

Made in America Job Tour: First Stop Cleveland

Made in America Job Tour: First Stop Cleveland

In the past few weeks, we have heard a great deal about the naysayers who hijack town hall meetings, offering fear mongering and intimidation but no real solutions for our nation's problems. Starting today, we will begin to hear about...continued

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bluegreenalliance, cleanenergy, cleantech, economicstimulus, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, greenjobs, laborunions, manufacturing, steelworkers, weatherizing, windpower

An Astroturf Double-Header Hits Houston and D.C.

An Astroturf Double-Header Hits Houston and D.C.

Somehow it's fitting that Houston -- home to the Astrodome, where the Astros used to play baseball -- would be the latest place that we'd find Astroturf.  We had a double-header today with two more revelations about phony acts designed to spread fear around...continued

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ACES, API, astroturf, cleanenergy, climate, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, energycitizens, markey

Obama’s View from Yellowstone: Pines Killed by Climate-Fueled Beetles

Obama’s View from Yellowstone: Pines Killed by Climate-Fueled Beetles

President Obama heads Saturday to Yellowstone National Park, where he and his family join the millions of Americans who thrill each year to the sulfureous steam of Old Faithful, the wild domains of bison and elk and the summer splendor...continued

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ACES, beetles, energyandclimate2009, extinction, forests, globalwarming, infestation, whitebarkpine, yellowstone

Town Hall Talks about Climate Should Be About Solutions, Not Intimidation

Town Hall Talks about Climate Should Be About Solutions, Not Intimidation

I had been looking forward to the August Congressional recess as a time to engage with lawmakers about the upcoming clean energy legislation and the economic opportunities it would unleash. After all, when representatives are in their home states, they...continued

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ACCCE, ACES, astroturf, cleanenergy, coalindustry, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, globalwarming, greenjobs, oilindustry, townhall

Energy Reforms Critical for Assuring Carbon Markets

Energy Reforms Critical for Assuring Carbon Markets

A new report to be released later this month by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is expected to reveal that contrary to their previous findings, speculators were in fact to blame for generating a "significant" amount of the...continued

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carbonregulation, carbontrading, CFTC, energyandclimate2009, energytrading, feinsteinsnowe, financialregulation, markettransformation, positionlimits, waxmanmarkey

NAM/ACCF: Entitled to their own opinion about climate legislation, but not their own facts

NAM/ACCF: Entitled to their own opinion about climate legislation, but not their own facts

Today the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF) released a "new" economic analysis claiming disastrous economic impacts of climate protection legislation. It's a story they've repeated over and over, against virtually every piece...continued

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ACCF, ACES, capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, climatelegislation, co2mediaguide, costs, debunk, draftanalysis, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, EPA, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, models, NAM, rebuttal, waxmanmarkey

ACID TEST: Protecting Our Oceans' Economic Vitality from Global Warming

ACID TEST: Protecting Our Oceans' Economic Vitality from Global Warming

Last summer, when I traveled through the Arctic Ocean as part of the Aspen Commission on Arctic Climate Change, I was moved by the beauty of the sea, from its steel gray waters to its haunting blue sea ice. As...continued

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acidification, acidtest, arctic, arcticocean, coral, energyandclimate2009, fisheries, fishermen, globalwarming, jobs, oceans

What happens in Vegas...

What happens in Vegas...

Vegas is an ironic place to have a clean energy summit. There is nothing green about this concrete oasis in the desert. No vegetation, no water, no way to get here other than burning copious amounts of fossil fuel. (On...continued

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ACES, cleanenergy, energyandclimate2009, greenbuilding, harryreid, jobs, nationalcleanenergysummit, renewableenergy, solar

Potential Bio-Energy Resources Are Plentiful in Florida - Let's Develop Them Right

Potential Bio-Energy Resources Are Plentiful in Florida - Let's Develop Them Right

I recently presented at the 2009 Florida Farm to Fuel® Summit (airing on the Florida Channel this Thu, Aug 13 at 8 AM) with the message that bio-energy development - including biofuels and biomass,  which is potentially very abundant...continued

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biofuels, biomass, energyandclimate2009, energysecurity, markettransformation, renewableenergy, RFS

U.S. Military Says We Need Action on Climate Now or We Will "Pay Later"

U.S. Military Says We Need Action on Climate Now or We Will

The U.S. military, intelligence and diplomatic communities are to be commended for their forward-leaning approach to viewing global warming as a national security threat, as documented in Sunday's New York Times. These dedicated professionals have clearly grasped the ways climate...continued

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ACES, bangladesh, drought, energyandclimate2009, flood, globalwarming, greenjobs, malaria, nationalsecurity

Climate Forgeries and Other Lies: They've Done It Before...and Are Doing it Again!

Climate Forgeries and Other Lies:  They've Done It Before...and Are Doing it Again!

As you know by now, the coal trade group that paid lobbyists who forged letters in opposition to the clean energy bill now before Congress have blamed the whole mess on an unnamed (and very convenient!)  temporary worker.   It's the...continued

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ACCCE, climate, energyandclimate2009, forgeries, globalwarming, smears

New Climate Bill Forgery? Faking Broad Public Opposition

New Climate Bill Forgery? Faking Broad Public Opposition

Last week, climate bill opponents were caught red handed forging letters in order to whip up public opposition to green-jobs legislation now in Congress. This week, we were reminded that there is more than one kind of forgery when it...continued

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ACES, climate, energyandclimate2009, exxon, forgeries, globalwarming, nationalassociationofmanufacturers, smears

The Senate Climate Bill Will Bring Jobs to Your State

The Senate Climate Bill Will Bring Jobs to Your State

Last week the New York Times ran a story in which the headline said it all: "New Energy Injects Hope in a Colorado Steel Town." It described how, in a time of record unemployment, steelworkers in Pueblo are finding new...continued

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bluegreenalliance, cleanenergy, colorado, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingbill, greenjobs, laborunions, missouri, ohio, steelworkers, virginia, windpower, windturbines

EIA Study Confirms Climate Protection is More Than Affordable

EIA Study Confirms Climate Protection is More Than Affordable

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) released today an analysis of the economic impact of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA).  Once again, the news is good, confirming what we've learned from recent studies by the Environmental Protection Agency...continued

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ACES, capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, co2mediaguide, debunk, economics, eia, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, energyinformationadministration, fossilfuels, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, householdcost, waxmanmarkey

Amidst forgery scandal, ACCCE still finds time to argue that Kentucky should be more flat

Amidst forgery scandal, ACCCE still finds time to argue that Kentucky should be more flat

Rachel Maddow covered the ACCCE letter forgery last night in a segment that also featured an interview with Virginia Rep. Tom Periello, one of the targets of the coal-industry funded letter scandal, notes Appalachian Voices. Worth watching for the recap of...continued

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ACCCE, ACES, climate, energyandclimate2009, forgeries, globalwarming, maddow, periello, smears

Shining the Light on Efficiency Lies

Shining the Light on Efficiency Lies

I blogged last month on the deliberate misinformation campaign that the enemies of energy efficiency used to weaken several key policies in ACES, costing us all money. In the last couple weeks several news stories have continued to shine a...continued

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energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, labeling

Update: NAACP Condemns Bonner's Dirty Tricks

Update: NAACP Condemns Bonner's Dirty Tricks

The NAACP has issued a statement condemning the sleaze-tactics of Bonner and Associates. Excerpt: "The NAACP is appalled that an organization like Bonner and Associates would stoop to these depths to deceive Congress.  In this case Bonner and Associates are...continued

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ACES, bonner, climate, energyandclimate2009, forgeries, NAACP

Climate Bill Scams: Exposing Bonner’s Blame-the-Temp Forgery Lie

Climate Bill Scams: Exposing Bonner’s Blame-the-Temp Forgery Lie

Remember that you heard it here first:  We warned you in mid July about the right-wing nut groups trying to phony up a backlash against climate legislation pending in Congress. Now, Bonner & Associates - an Astroturf group that manufacturers...continued

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ACES, astroturf, bonner, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, NAACP, smears

Sleazy tactics and dirty money pollute the climate debate

Sleazy tactics and dirty money pollute the climate debate

The evidence that opponents of clean energy are using sleazy tactics, fueled by dirty money, is becoming more and more clear each day. Today's big news is reported by the Charlottesville Daily Progress, which reports that opponents of the ACES climate bill hired a...continued

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ACES, americansforprosperity, bonner, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, koch, newt, peabody, smears

Energy interests spend over $150 million on lobbying

Energy interests spend over $150 million on lobbying

E&E News is reporting on lobbying and the climate bill, noting that Oil and Gas companies spent $37.7 in lobbying in the 2nd quarter Exxon Mobil spent $13.6 million alone. Environmental groups spent $5.3 million total. Now $37.7 to $5.3...continued

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ACES, archcoal, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, exxon, globalwarming, oilindustry, peabody, smears, uschamberofcommerce, waxman

USDA Finds ACES Benefits to Farmers "Easily Trump" Increased Energy Costs

USDA Finds ACES Benefits to Farmers

Last week, the USDA's Office of the Chief Economist published its preliminary analysis of the effect of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) on the U.S. agricultural sector. The conclusion was clear: ACES will help, not hurt, American...continued

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ACES, agriculture, energyandclimate2009, farmers, offsetquality, offsets, renewableenergy, renewables, USDA

Contrary to the Heritage Foundation’s “New” Analysis, Climate Legislation Will Not Devastate Farmers or Small Businesses

Contrary to the Heritage Foundation’s “New” Analysis, Climate Legislation Will Not Devastate Farmers or Small Businesses

Recycling their flawed May 13th analysis, the Heritage Foundation just released a new memo criticizing the precedent-setting Waxman-Markey Bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES, HR. 2454). Par for the course, the Foundation gets it all wrong: an...continued

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ACES, capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, co2mediaguide, debunk, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, fossilfuels, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, heritagefoundation, waxmanmarkey

Notes from the North: Climate Change Is Accelerating

Notes from the North: Climate Change Is Accelerating

A year ago, I traveled by ship through the Arctic Ocean, seeing the effects of global warming first hand. Now I have come to Winnipeg for a meeting of the Aspen Commission on Arctic Climate Change. As I listen to...continued

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ACES, alaska, arctic, arcticcommision, arcticocean, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, NOAA, oceans, oceansgovernance

Bad biofuels politics make for strange bedfellows pressing for science

Bad biofuels politics make for strange bedfellows pressing for science

What do Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, Grocery Manufacturers Association,  the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, and NRDC and nearly 42 other odd bedfellows have in common? We all want sound science rather than sloppy politics to dictate...continued

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ACES, biofuels, E15, energyandclimate2009, ethanol, renewableenergy

Coal Coalition: We Spent $11 Million on Lobbying. No, Wait A Minute...

Coal Coalition: We Spent $11 Million on Lobbying. No, Wait A Minute...

So how much did opponents of the federal climate bill really spend in the run-up to the House vote last month? It is usually hard to tell, since the predominant reporting system is meant to capture only expenses incurred to directly...continued

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ACCCE, climatechange, dirtycoal, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, smears

Why Stand in the Way of Green Jobs and Economic Opportunity?

Why Stand in the Way of Green Jobs and Economic Opportunity?

America is faced with two failing systems: the economy is in turmoil and our climate is in disruption. Each one is critical to our survival, and each one needs to be fixed urgently. The fastest, most cost-effective way to do...continued

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ACES, cleantech, economy, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingbill, greenjobs, kerry, palin

Right-Wing Climate Nuttiness Documented on YouTube

Right-Wing Climate Nuttiness Documented on YouTube

As I've previously blogged, the wing-nuts of the right have been throwing eggs at the climate bill. Then Soon-to-be-Former-Governor Sarah Palin remixed a number of tired talking points about the climate bill. The combination of which prompted an amusing little...continued

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ACES, beck, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, malkin, palin, rush, smears, waxman

CEO of General Electric to Congress: U.S. Global Competitiveness Requires More Investment in Renewable Electricity

CEO of General Electric to Congress: U.S. Global Competitiveness Requires More Investment in Renewable Electricity

The President and CEO of General Electric, John Krenicki, made a stern set of remarks yesterday before the Senate Energy and Public Works Committee on the need for a clear and strong Renewable Energy Standard in the Climate & Energy...continued

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energyandclimate2009, GE, globalcompetitiveness, greenjobs, renewableenergy, RES, waxmanmarkey, windenergy

Another Incomplete Story by Climate Obstructionists: Waxman-Markey’s Climate Protection Bill, ACESA, Will Supposedly Devastate Missouri Farmers

Another Incomplete Story by Climate Obstructionists: Waxman-Markey’s Climate Protection Bill, ACESA, Will Supposedly Devastate Missouri Farmers

ACESA will provide billions of dollars to American farmers who, among other things, can lease land for wind turbines, sell biomass waste for bio-energy production, and sell offset credits to help emitting firms comply with the carbon cap. But in...continued

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ACES, co2mediaguide, debunk, energyandclimate2009, FAPRI, farm, missouri, waxmanmarkey

Eight Questions to Ask About CRA’s May 2009 Economic Analysis of the Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade Program

Eight Questions to Ask About CRA’s May 2009 Economic Analysis of the Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade Program

This blog is structured from: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/ljohnson/seven_questions_to_ask_of_any.html 1. Top Line Question: How much larger (than 2008) does this model predict GDP will be in 2030 under an emissions cap (do not accept "how much less GDP is relative to no policy"...continued

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capandtrade, charlesriverassociates, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, climatelegislation, co2mediaguide, costs, CRA, debunkopposition, draftanalysis, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, EPA, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, models, waxmanmarkey

Telling the Full Story: What ACESA Means for a New Rural Economy

Telling the Full Story: What ACESA Means for a New Rural Economy

Yesterday's Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing entitled "Economic Opportunities for Agriculture, Forestry Communities, and Others in Reducing Global Warming Pollution" provided another opportunity to take an honest look at the full picture of what ACESA, the House...continued

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ACES, agriculture, energyandclimate2009, offsets, renewableenergy, renewables

Palin's Recipe for Baked Alaska

Palin's Recipe for Baked Alaska

It was a surprise when Sarah Palin announced that she would step down as Governor of Alaska. But it isn't so surprising that America's biggest quitter doesn't think Americans are up to the challenge of creating a clean energy economy...continued

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cleanenergy, climatechange, dirtycoal, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, obama, smears, waxman

Why We Can't Wait for a Perfect Climate Bill

Why We Can't Wait for a Perfect Climate Bill

Right now, we are the closest the United States has ever come to confronting the crisis of global warming. The House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, and now the Senate will consider similar legislation. It...continued

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ACES, carbonemissions, cleanenergy, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, montrealprotocol

Lunatic Fringe Watch: Wing Nuts Unleashed on ACES Climate Bill

Lunatic Fringe Watch: Wing Nuts Unleashed on ACES Climate Bill

If you feel the ground shaking under your feet that is because the United States is about to be swallowed up into the bowels of Hell as the U.S. Senate takes up climate legislation. Or so Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh,...continued

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ACES, americancleanenergyandsecurityact, americansforprosperity, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, smears, waxman

Deliberate Misinformation: Making Saving Money Sound Bad

Deliberate Misinformation: Making Saving Money Sound Bad

The enemies of energy efficiency have unveiled their new tactic to keep you from saving money and energy: they're just going to tell you ridiculous lies and hope you believe them. It seems that because they have had a hard...continued

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buildingcodes, buildings, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, labeling

The Climate Bill and Your Bills: Getting Clean Energy at Low Cost

The Climate Bill and Your Bills: Getting Clean Energy at Low Cost

The American Clean Energy and Security Act, now before the Senate, is poised to transform the way America produces and uses energy, and in the face of such major changes, Americans are asking what this new law might cost them....continued

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ACES, cleanenergy, energyandclimate2009, energycosts, energyefficiency, globalwarming

Top 10 Reasons the Senate should Strengthen and Pass ACES

Top 10 Reasons the Senate should Strengthen and Pass ACES

It is vital to enact comprehensive energy and climate legislation this year - to help deliver economic, energy, and climate security.  As President Obama has said, the choice is "between a slow decline and renewed prosperity; between the past and...continued

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ACES, carboncaps, carbondioxide, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, simplesteps

The Senate's Role in Getting Carbon Market Regulation Right

The Senate's Role in Getting Carbon Market Regulation Right

As the Senate begins to weigh in on the climate debate with its own version of climate bill, the issue of carbon market oversight still remains a major concern to many members. The final bill that passed through the House...continued

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ACES, carbonregulation, carbonrisk, carbontrading, energyandclimate2009, marketmanipulation, markettransformation, overthecountertrading, waxmanmarkey

LIVE COVERAGE of July 7th Senate testimony on clean energy and climate legislation

LIVE COVERAGE of July 7th Senate testimony on clean energy and climate legislation

NRDC's David Hawkins is among the experts -- along with Energy Secretary Steven Chu, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack -- scheduled to testify on Tuesday, July 7 before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee....continued

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ACES, cleanenergy, climatebills, climatechange, congress, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming

Show-Me the Potential for Clean Energy and Jobs in Missouri

Show-Me the Potential for Clean Energy and Jobs in Missouri

Today NRDC released, A Clean Energy Economy for Missouri: Analysis of the Rural Economic Development Potential of Renewable Resources, authored by Martin R. Cohen.  This forward-looking report highlights the numerous economic and environmental benefits available to all Missourians by...continued

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ACES, agriculture, biomass, cleanenergyjobs, energyandclimate2009, energycosts, farmers, greenjobs, renewableenergy, windenergy

The American Clean Energy Security Act (ACES) Creates More American Jobs and Saves Americans Money

The American Clean Energy Security Act (ACES) Creates More American Jobs and Saves Americans Money

By passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), or H.R. 2454, the U.S. House of Representatives set the U.S. on a course to create millions of new clean energy jobs and save consumers money on their electric and...continued

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ACES, cleanenergy, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, greenjobs, waxmanmarkey

The Climate Vote: What a Difference a Year Makes

The Climate Vote: What a Difference a Year Makes

As I savor last Friday's historic House vote to pass clean energy and climate legislation, I can't help but think about last June, when leaders in the Senate tried to pass a groundbreaking climate bill. What has changed since then? ...continued

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ACES, cleanenergy, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, greenjobs, simplesteps, waxman

Lost in the Shuffle: Some Efficiency Policies Weakened in ACES

Lost in the Shuffle: Some Efficiency Policies Weakened in ACES

Last Friday, the House of Representatives passed a landmark climate and energy bill that would finally begin to address the climate crises and move us towards a rational energy policy in this country. There are many key efficiency provisions in...continued

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appliances, buildings, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, standards

The new House climate and energy bill takes us one step further from dependence on expanded tar sands oil production

The new House climate and energy bill takes us one step further from dependence on expanded tar sands oil production

On Friday, the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act passed in the House signifying a major step forward for the United States in tackling climate change and building a clean energy economy. The ACES bill provides the funding to...continued

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ACES, dirtyfuels, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, oilsands, section526, tarsands

Video of Frances Beinecke on Clean Energy and Climate Vote

Video of Frances Beinecke on Clean Energy and Climate Vote

The House has just passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a bill that would start America down a path toward prosperity, job creation, sustainable energy, and enhanced climate security. This is a historic moment. But work still lies...continued

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ACES, cleanenergy, climatelegislation, copenhagen, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingbill, greenjobs, waxman

ACES Puts US and World On Safer Temperature Path

ACES Puts US and World On Safer Temperature Path

Duke University just released an analysis of the impact that ACES will have on global temperature, factoring in the impact that US leadership will have on the rest of the world. As many recognize, the only way to get serious...continued

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americancleanenergyandsecurityact, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, waxman, waxmanmarkey

The House Climate Vote Defies Expectation

The House Climate Vote Defies Expectation

The House just passed its first-ever bill designed to unleash clean energy opportunities, create millions of jobs, and combat global warming. This historic vote defied expectations. Back in January, few people believed that six months into a new session and...continued

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ACES, climatelegislation, copenhagen, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingbill, greenjobs, waxman

The American Clean Energy Security (ACES) Act: Jobs, Lower Utility Bills, and Gasoline Savings

The American Clean Energy Security (ACES) Act: Jobs, Lower Utility Bills, and Gasoline Savings

Using publicly available data from various agencies, we estimate the number of jobs created, as well as monetary savings from increased energy efficiency in our buildings and automobile fleet, that climate protection brings us. On all fronts, the news is...continued

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americancleanenergyandsecurityact, energyandclimate2009, waxmanmarkey

ACES Will Help Create More Jobs and Opportunities for Low-Income Families

ACES Will Help Create More Jobs and Opportunities for Low-Income Families

The American Clean Energy and Security Act will help spur $150 billion in clean energy investments, which will create 1.7 million good-paying jobs throughout the United States. Clean energy jobs are labor intensive, and clean energy investments create more jobs...continued

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ACES, americancleanenergyandsecurityact, cleanenergy, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, greenjobs, waxman, waxmanmarkey

Americans Save on Fuel Bills Under ACES

Americans Save on Fuel Bills Under ACES

The American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act allocates funding to produce the next generation of clean, fuel-efficient vehicles in the United States, and when combined with clean vehicle performance standards adopted by the Obama administration, the American on-road fleet...continued

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ACES, americancleanenergyandsecurityact, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, waxman, waxmanmarkey

Climate and Energy Legislation: "Now is the Time to Act"

Climate and Energy Legislation:

With the energy and climate legislation coming to a head in the House this week, things are definitely heating up in Washington. Latest reports are saying that the House will vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES)...continued

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ACES, cleanenergy, climatechange, energy, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, leglislation, obama, whitehouse

Beyond Offsets; Why the Benefits to U.S. Farmers from Climate Legislation Outweigh Costs

Beyond Offsets; Why the Benefits to U.S. Farmers from Climate Legislation Outweigh Costs

This week, the Heritage Foundation once again used its highly inflated estimates of carbon allowance prices under the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) to make this statement about costs to farmers: "The Heritage Foundation's Center for Data Analysis...continued

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agriculture, capandtrade, energyandclimate2009, offsets, renewableenergy

Deal in the House moves climate bill, breaks the RFS

Deal in the House moves climate bill, breaks the RFS

Yesterday, Representatives Waxman and Peterson announced that they have reached a deal that secures Peterson's support for the climate bill. Outlines of the deal are still coming out, but it clearly implements a five year delay in accounting for emissions...continued

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ACES, biofuels, biomass, energyandclimate2009, landusechange, RFS

Time to Take a Decisive Step: Climate Vote Scheduled for Friday

Time to Take a Decisive Step: Climate Vote Scheduled for Friday

This Friday the House of Representatives will consider one of the most important pieces of legislation of our time: a bill that would simultaneously jumpstart our economy, create millions of jobs, lay the groundwork for a clean energy future, and...continued

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capandtrade, cleanenergy, copenhagencountdown, economicstimulus, energyandclimate2009, greenenergy, greenjobs, obama, simplesteps, waxmanmarkey

LIVE COVERAGE of Capitol Hill event supporting the American Clean Energy and Security Act

LIVE COVERAGE of Capitol Hill event supporting the American Clean Energy and Security Act

As the U.S. House nears a vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, reportedly on Friday, former Vice President Al Gore is calling it "the most important environmental vote of this generation." President Obama said this week that...continued

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ACES, cleanenergy, Congress, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming

Climate Bill Puts Americans in the Green

Climate Bill Puts Americans in the Green

There's a lot of talk about the costs of the proposed climate bill for American consumers. As we've documented repeatedly, opponents of climate policy have cranked out lots of "studies" to prove the bill will crater the economy. The latest garbage...continued

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climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, waxman, waxmanmarkey

Cheap at Twice the Price: EPA’s New Analysis of House Climate Bill

Cheap at Twice the Price: EPA’s New Analysis of House Climate Bill

With the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) poised for an historic vote in the House of Representatives on Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency released a new analysis of the costs of implementing the legislation. This analysis finds that...continued

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ACES, carbondioxide, energyandclimate2009, waxmanmarkey

Phony Arch Coal Map Leads Members Astray

Phony Arch Coal Map Leads Members Astray

You have to hand it to the coal industry.  They are not content to just spend millions of dollars on "wild and crazy" advertising claims about "clean coal." Now, they are bringing those same mad skills of deception to mapmaking. ...continued

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archcoal, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, smears, waxman, waxmanmarkey

Reports Show Global Warming Is Already Hurting America; Fighting It Will Heal the Economy

Reports Show Global Warming Is Already Hurting America; Fighting It Will Heal the Economy

I have received many briefings from climate scientists over the past 10 years. At first, most were based on modeling and projections, but more recently, they have included an alarming element: empirical evidence that global warming is interfering with America's...continued

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ACES, cleanenergy, economicstimulus, energyandclimate2009, greenjobs

Interstate Differences in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Much Less Than Meets the Eye

Interstate Differences in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Much Less Than Meets the Eye

U.S. per capita greenhouse emissions show tremendous differences between states, prompting concern that some states would bear much heavier burdens from a cap on global warming emissions than others. For example, while national per capita emissions are 20.6 metric tons...continued

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capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, energy, energyandclimate2009, fossilfuels, globalwarming, interstateemissions, stateemissions, waxmanmarkey

The Historical Record of Job Growth and Environmental Protection: A Convenient Truth for Climate Legislation

The Historical Record of Job Growth and Environmental Protection: A Convenient Truth for Climate Legislation

Over three decades of experience with environmental regulation show that investments in environmental protection, coupled with GDP growth, led to an increase in jobs that were orders of magnitude larger than any job losses caused by environmental requirements. The dire...continued

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capandtrade, chamberofcommerce, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, co2mediaguide, convenienttruth, debunk, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, environmental, fossilfuels, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, heritagefoundation, history, jobsversusenvironment, nationalassociationofmanufacturers, opposition, regulation, tradeoffmyth, waxmanmarkey

News Flash: More Jobs and Lower Energy Costs Good for Low-Income Americans

News Flash: More Jobs and Lower Energy Costs Good for Low-Income Americans

Memo TO: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Heritage Foundation and other industry groups predicting the end of life as we know if America takes action on climate change FROM: Natural Resources Defense Council, Political Economic Research Institute/University of...continued

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ACES, americancleanenergyandsecurityact, cleanenergy, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, greeneconomy, greenjobs, greenrecovery, waxmanmarkey

The Case For A National Building Energy Code

The Case For A National Building Energy Code

Recently, there has been a good deal of media attention given to building energy codes generally and specifically the codes provision of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), both good and bad. A couple of these articles piqued...continued

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buildingcodes, buildings, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, waxmanmarkey

New Film Captures Link between Imperiled Oceans and Climate Change

New Film Captures Link between Imperiled Oceans and Climate Change

Last week President Obama called for a national ocean policy to protect critical marine ecosystems. At the same time, climate negotiators wrapped up a major international meeting in Bonn. These may seem like two unrelated events--one is about water, after...continued

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acidification, acidtest, bonn, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, oceans, oceansgovernance, planetgreen, simplesteps

House to Vote on American Clean Energy and Security Act

House to Vote on American Clean Energy and Security Act

The House of Representatives will soon vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454).  This will be the most important clean energy and climate protection vote that Congress has ever cast.  The ACES bill passed the Energy...continued

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carboncaps, cleanairact, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, waxmanmarkey

Greening Ohio: Bringing Clean Energy Jobs to the Midwest

Greening Ohio: Bringing Clean Energy Jobs to the Midwest

Last week I had the honor of speaking at the famous City Club in Cleveland, Ohio. In its more than 100 year history, the City Club has hosted every candidate who has run for president. I am not running for...continued

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bluegreenalliance, cleanenergy, cleveland, climatelegislation, energyandclimate2009, greencollareconomy, greenjobs, jobs, ohio, waxmanmarkey

Time to Solve the Loss of the World’s Tropical Forests…some tools to get us there

Time to Solve the Loss of the World’s Tropical Forests…some tools to get us there

I've been spending a lot of my time recently trying to get a strong structure for addressing the loss of the world's tropical rainforests as a part of the US climate bill.  This took two parallel tracks -- developing a...continued

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climatechangenegotiations, copenhagen, deforestation, developingcountries, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, UNFCCC, waxmanmarkey

Climate Change Pop Art:The Cost of Inaction

Climate Change Pop Art:The Cost of Inaction

The EIA has just released its forecast for global carbon emissions through the year 2030 and it's not pretty. Without meaningful efforts to reduce the path of our carbon emissions, global carbon dioxide pollution is expected to increase 39% over...continued

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capandtrade, carbonrisk, climateandenergy2009, costofinaction, energyandclimate2009, markettransformation, waxmanmarkey

Distributing Allowance Value II: 80% for Consumers and Public Purposes

Distributing Allowance Value II: 80% for Consumers and Public Purposes

Rob Stavins of Harvard has posted a very useful analysis of the way allowance value is distributed in the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee last week. Rob adds theoretical rigor and...continued

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carboncaps, energyandclimate2009, waxmanmarkey

Watching a Master at Work

Watching a Master at Work

Last night I had the pleasure of watching Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) shepherd the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) through the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The motion to "favorably report" the bill passed 33-25 after four grueling...continued

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ACES, energyandclimate2009, waxman, waxmanmarkey

Historic Vote Moves America Closer to Clean Energy and Climate Solutions

Historic Vote Moves America Closer to Clean Energy and Climate Solutions

I felt like celebrating last night. After more than 10 years working to stop climate change, I welcomed this historic development: the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a bill that will make...continued

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cleanenergy, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingbill, greenjobs, markey, simplesteps, waxman, waxmanmarkey

Outclassing the Energy Hogs

Outclassing the Energy Hogs

The Problem Once an inefficient "energy hog" appliance is purchased and plugged into the wall, it's already too late.  The said appliance will likely run for ten or more years becoming even less efficient (as nearly all mechanical systems do...continued

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appliances, appliancestandards, consumers, economicstimulus, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, energystar, goldencarrot, manufacturing, retailers, upstream

A Heritage of Shame: The Heritage Foundation's Economic Analysis of the Waxman-Markey Bill

A Heritage of Shame: The Heritage Foundation's Economic Analysis of the Waxman-Markey Bill

The Heritage Foundation's May 13, 2009 Web Memo "analysis" of the precedent-setting Waxman-Markey Bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES, HR. 2454), not surprisingly gets it all backwards. An engine of economic growth, job creation, energy security, and...continued

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capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, co2mediaguide, debunk, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, fossilfuels, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, heritagefoundation, waxmanmarkey

Why We Need a Vote on Climate Legislation This Summer

Why We Need a Vote on Climate Legislation This Summer

It has been a good week in the Countdown to Copenhagen. We have seen a remarkable amount of climate action in the past few days, and if this pace keeps up, the United States might actually arrive at the international...continued

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bluegreenalliance, cleancars, climatelegislation, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, waxman, waxmanmarkey

Putting the US in a Strong Position to Secure an International Climate Agreement: Waxman-Markey Bill

Putting the US in a Strong Position to Secure an International Climate Agreement: Waxman-Markey Bill

The Waxman-Markey "American Clean Energy and Security Act" (HR 2454) is now out (see here for the full bill and here for NRDC's top line summary of the entire bill).  The House Energy and Commerce Committee is focused this week...continued

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climatechangenegotiations, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, deforestation, developingcountries, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, UNFCCC, waxmanmarkey

When In A Hole, Stop Digging

When In A Hole, Stop Digging

As the urgency of global warming increases, old divides are breaking down and old adversaries are starting to cooperate.    Fortune 100 companies have come together with leading environmental organizations in the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, which produced a Blueprint for...continued

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congress, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, obama administration, uscap, waxmanmarkey

Response to Washington Post Op-Ed: No Time to Cap and Delay

Response to Washington Post Op-Ed: No Time to Cap and Delay

The editorial by David Sokol titled "Let's Have Cap and No Trade" suggests that the US can achieve the same 83% cut in our greenhouse gas emissions by allowing companies either to participate in a program that caps dangerous carbon...continued

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energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, waxmanmarkey

Broad and diverse support for Waxman-Markey's American Clean Energy and Security Act

Broad and diverse support for Waxman-Markey's American Clean Energy and Security Act

Support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is coming in from a broad and diverse range of constituencies, including businesses, unions, elected officials, environmental groups, organizations representing low-income Americans and people of faith and coalitions combining...continued

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bluegreenalliance, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, USCAP, waxman

Climate Math: How the "Chicken Littles" Cook the Numbers

Climate Math:  How the

The transition to clean energy, reducing our dependence on dangerous foreign oil and protecting our environment will cost less than some would have you think. In April, the EPA estimated that the American Clean Energy and Security Act would cost...continued

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climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, greeneconomy, heritagefoundation, smears, uschamberofcommerce, waxmanmarkey

The U.S. Chamber Split Grows Wider: Now Local Chambers Are Going Their Own Way

The U.S. Chamber Split Grows Wider: Now Local Chambers Are Going Their Own Way

The US Chamber of Commerce is famous for punishing officeholders and other political candidates who have the temerity to disagree with the Chamber's views. But what happens when the US Chamber's own members and affiliates reject its "predictably stalwart" opposition...continued

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climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, smears, uschamberofcommerce, waxmanmarkey

The American Clean Energy Security Act - Quick Survey of Changes from the Discussion Draft

The American Clean Energy Security Act - Quick Survey of Changes from the Discussion Draft

On Monday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will begin a week-long marathon to pass long-overdue clean energy and climate legislation.  After more than a month of extensive negotiations among members of the committee, Chairmen Henry Waxman and Ed Markey...continued

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energyandclimate2009, energysecurity, globalwarming, greenjobs, oildependence, waxmanmarkey

Climate Bill Puts Energy Speculators on Notice

Climate Bill Puts Energy Speculators on Notice

In addition to providing meaningful guidelines for the carbon trading markets, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES) should be commended for looking to close many of the regulatory loopholes used by speculators to manipulate energy prices...continued

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ACES, carbonregulation, carbontrading, energyandclimate2009, marketmanipulation, markettransformation, timgeithner, waxmanmarkey

Distributing Allowance Value

Distributing Allowance Value

The comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation, which is expected to move through the House Energy and Commerce Committee next week, establishes a limited number of carbon emission permits (aka "allowances") as the means to enforce a declining cap on...continued

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capanddividend, capandinvest, carboncaps, energyandclimate2009, waxmanmarkey

As U.S. moves towards reducing carbon pollution – there is no room for tar sands oil expansion

As U.S. moves towards reducing carbon pollution – there is no room for tar sands oil expansion

  Despite attempts by oil companies and Canada to say otherwise, the movement in the United States to reduce carbon pollution leaves no room for expansion of high carbon dirty fuels like tar sands oil from Canada. Just a few...continued

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dirtyfuels, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, tarsands, waxmanmarkey

Waxman-Markey bill ups the ante on tar sands and other dirty energy

Waxman-Markey bill ups the ante on tar sands and other dirty energy

The huge Congressional climate bill has been formally introduced, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454). Over a month of discussion and heavy dealmaking has finally come to an end, recalling the famous Otto Von Bismarck quote "Laws are...continued

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canada, dirtyfuels, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, oilsands, tarsands, waxmanmarkey

Climate Week in Congress and at the EPA

Climate Week in Congress and at the EPA

New polls (here, here, and here) show that Americans are eager for Washington to tackle clean energy and global warming.  And next Monday, both the Executive and Legislative Branches will swing into action.  On Capitol Hill, the House Energy and...continued

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california, carboncaps, cleancars, endangerment, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, powerplants

US Chamber Flip-Flops – On Same Day! – On Climate Legislation

US Chamber Flip-Flops – On Same Day! – On Climate Legislation

Desperation must be the message of the day over at the US Chamber, which has just revealed (spoiler alert!) that it opposes the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Which is interesting because only this morning the Chamber's Bruce Josten...continued

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climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, USCAP, uschamberofcommerce

Tar sands makes a trade bully of Canada

Tar sands makes a trade bully of Canada

As the U.S. is drafting new rules to reduce carbon pollution, the Canadian government is once again letting its opinion be known. Is Canada pledging to work alongside the U.S. to curb carbon pollution? No - our neighbor to the...continued

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dirtyfuels, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, tarsands, waxmanmarkey

Heralded economist sheds light on a second inconvenient truth for America and what we ought to do about it

Heralded economist sheds light on a second inconvenient truth for America and what we ought to do about it

Nouriel Roubini, one of the earliest voices to speak out on the shaky economic underpinnings of our financial system and resulting economic crisis in which we now find ourselves entangled, today opined in the New York Times that within the...continued

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ARRA, china, cleanenergy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, globalwarming, greenjobs, obamaadministration, renewableenergy, waxmanmarkey

The Barton Plan: No Time for Party Crashers

The Barton Plan: No Time for Party Crashers

We've all been there: You're at a party, and it starts to get a little late. Suddenly, someone stumbles into the room ranting and raving. Everyone was having fun, but now the music stops. Well, that's what we're seeing today...continued

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cleanenergy, climate, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, joebarton, waxmanmarkey

Rep. Joe Barton’s Lack of Familiarity with Climate Bill Breeds Contempt

Rep. Joe Barton’s Lack of Familiarity with Climate Bill Breeds Contempt

The ever quotable climate change skeptic Rep. Joe Barton has dismissed cap and trade legislation as "dead" before arrival and has instead decided to launch his own version of climate change legislation. The Barton plan, with an additional 200+ amendments waiting...continued

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capandtrade, carbonregulation, coalfiredpowerplants, energyandclimate2009, eor, greenstimulus, joebarton, markettransformation, newtgingrich, waxmanmarkey

Black Hole Swallows MIT

Black Hole Swallows MIT

Opponents of climate legislation are living in a parallel universe where the value of pollution allowances disappears into a black hole, energy markets are currently perfect, and the impacts of global warming are costless. On this side of the worm...continued

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barton, boehner, capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, co2mediaguide, debunk, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, fossilfuels, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, mitstudy, waxmanmarkey

Faithfully Securing our Future: New Coalition Pushes for Global Warming Action and Adaptation Support

Faithfully Securing our Future: New Coalition Pushes for Global Warming Action and Adaptation Support

A new coalition of U.S. Representatives, faith and military leaders unveiled a new push to secure strong global warming policy and ensure that the most vulnerable throughout the world are supported in efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate...continued

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adaptation, climatechangenegotiations, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, UNFCCC, waxmanmarkey

Vets Support (and install) Clean Energy

Vets Support (and install) Clean Energy

America's vets are raising their collective voices in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Pointing to the national security benefits of reducing America's reliance on dangerous foreign oil, VoteVets has been mobilizing its members in support of...continued

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climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, greeneconomy, greenjobs, greenrecovery

A Chamber Divided: Companies Balk at the U.S. Chamber's Climate Policy

A Chamber Divided: Companies Balk at the U.S. Chamber's Climate Policy

When it comes to climate change policy, staff at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have reliably been the  go-to voice for doomsayer and naysayers. But things got interesting today when it became clear that U.S. Chamber staff may not be...continued

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BICEP, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, johnson&johnson, nike, smears, USCAP, uschamberofcommerce

Who are these guys? Yet more polluter-funded front groups hit the climate scene

Who are these guys? Yet more polluter-funded front groups hit the climate scene

There's a new front-group running around DC, backed by some old gunslingers who've been packing heat for polluters for years. Yesterday the American Energy Alliance announced it is running radio ads in the districts of some of the members of...continued

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americansforprosperity, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, exxon, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, koch, newt, smears

Seven Questions to Ask About CRA's April 2009 Cap and Trade Analysis

Seven Questions to Ask About CRA's April 2009 Cap and Trade Analysis

This blog is a sequel to my "Seven Questions to Ask of Any Economic Model of Climate Legislation" blog. Stay tuned as more studies come out... 1.   Top Line Question: How much larger (than 2008) does this model predict GDP...continued

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capandtrade, charlesriverassociates, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, climatelegislation, co2mediaguide, costs, CRA, debunkopposition, draftanalysis, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, EPA, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, models, waxmanmarkey

"Degree of Difficulty" - How to Judge the Waxman-Markey Carbon Reduction Targets

                                                                 This post written with Dan Lashof In Olympic diving, the judges score each dive based on a mutually-agreed "degree of difficulty."  So too in evaluating proposed carbon emission reduction targets for 2020, the judges - in this case the...continued

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energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, waxmanmarkey

Newt's Cement Plant Story: Rock Solid?

Newt's Cement Plant Story: Rock Solid?

Former U.S. House Speaker and supposed 2012 president candidate Newt Gingrich was up on Capitol Hill last week regaling elected officials with the supposed horrors of cap-and-trade carbon emissions controls. One particularly colorful anecdote didn't make his written statement, but it...continued

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climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, newt, smears

St. Louis Dispatch to Senator Bond: We'll take those green jobs, thanks very much

St. Louis Dispatch to Senator Bond: We'll take those green jobs, thanks very much

Earlier this week, Senator Kit Bond of Missouri issued a "report" on green jobs, essentially an exercise in taking statements from various reports on green jobs out of context and ignoring what those reports actually have to say. The Senator's report...continued

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climatechange, dirtycoal, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, greeneconomy, greenjobs, peabody

A Week of Words And Action on Energy and Climate

A Week of Words And Action on Energy and Climate

This week, energy and the environment took central stage from the fields of Iowa to the halls of Congress. Between Earth Day celebrations and Capitol Hill marathon briefings, it was all a bit dizzying. And, while not all of the...continued

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cleanenergy, climate, congress, earthday2009, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, markey, media, obama, waxman

Seven Questions to Ask of Any Economic Model of Climate Legislation

Seven Questions to Ask of Any Economic Model of Climate Legislation

Despite growing momentum by the new administration and Congress to take bold action that will bring us into a new clean energy future, opponents of comprehensive energy and climate legislation repeatedly predict rising costs, citing studies that appear to provide...continued

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capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, climatelegislation, co2mediaguide, costs, debunk, draftanalysis, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, EPA, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, models, rebuttal, waxmanmarkey

Rogues' Gallery of Global Warming Appears before E&C Committee

Rogues' Gallery of Global Warming Appears before E&C Committee

When you've got a week packed full of intense hearings on climate policy its important to make sure to schedule in some comic relief. That seems a logical explanation for the appearance of three of the more prominent members of...continued

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climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, heritagefoundation, smears

EPA Analysis: Jobs and Household Incomes Increase Under Climate Policy

EPA Analysis: Jobs and Household Incomes Increase Under Climate Policy

Today EPA released an analysis of what the economy might look like if the proposed Waxman Markey bill were enacted. This legislation would finally put a cap on dangerous global warming pollution, driving investments that will create millions of clean...continued

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capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, climatelegislation, costs, draftanalysis, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, EPA, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, models, waxmanmarkey

LIVE CHAT on EPA Determination that Global Warming Pollution Endangers Public Health

LIVE CHAT on EPA Determination that Global Warming Pollution Endangers Public Health

Join David Doniger, NRDC's chief global warming attorney, at 1 p.m. Eastern today, April 20, for a special online chat. Doniger will take questions on Friday's official determination by the EPA that global warming pollution endangers public health, and the...continued

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americancleanenergyandsecurityact, cleanairact, endangerment, energyandclimate2009, EPA, globalwarming, greenchat, pollution

Terms of Endangerment: EPA to Cut Global Warming Pollution

Terms of Endangerment: EPA to Cut Global Warming Pollution

At long last, the Environmental Protection Agency today officially recognized that the carbon pollution from our cars and power plants leads to killer heat waves, stronger hurricanes, higher smog levels, and many other direct and indirect threats to human health. ...continued

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americancleanenergyandsecurityact, cleanairact, endangerment, energyandclimate2009, EPA, globalwarming, pollution

US Chamber Calls on Congress to Force Dirty Energy Projects Down Americans' Throats

US Chamber Calls on Congress to Force Dirty Energy Projects Down Americans' Throats

The US Chamber of Commerce has been drinking its own Kool-Aid again, and trying this time to get members of Congress to think it's green tea. The Chamber is attempting to convince policymakers that burdensome regulations are blocking clean energy...continued

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climatechange, dirtycoal, dirtyfuels, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, smears, uschamberofcommerce

Imported Lies: Debunking the Spanish Green Jobs Smear

Imported Lies: Debunking the Spanish Green Jobs Smear

Spain is a country known for its romance, wine and bullfighting. But when it comes to economics and green jobs, it seems we're getting more bull than much else. Our good friends at Media Matters jumped right on the case yesterday when Fox News cited a...continued

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climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, greeneconomy, greenjobs, smears

Real workers with green jobs speak up

Real workers with green jobs speak up

NRDC has been interviewing workers earning green paychecks in the new clean energy economy to help increase understanding of and support for clean energy investments and the policies we need to support them. This work builds on previous research showing that...continued

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bluegreenalliance, cleanenergy, cleantech, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, greeneconomy, greenjobs

Thomas Friedman’s Taxing Logic Drops the Ball on the Climate Policy Debate

Thomas Friedman’s Taxing Logic Drops the Ball on the Climate Policy Debate

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman's recent article "Show Us the Ball" claims that a carbon tax would not only be simpler and more transparent, but have fewer special provisions, accommodations, or loopholes than a cap and trade system.  The...continued

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capandinvest, capandinvestnow, capandtrade, carbonregulation, carbontax, creditcrisis, energyandclimate2009, tomfriedman

Efficiency in Waxman-Markey: Part 2 – Appliances and Equipment

Efficiency in Waxman-Markey: Part 2 – Appliances and Equipment

Better late than never. As promised in my last entry on the buildings sections of the Waxman Markey draft, here is a review of the appliance section. Subtitle B - Lighting and Appliance Energy Efficiency Programs Sec 211 - Lighting...continued

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appliances, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, waxmanmarkey

Healthy economic growth under cap and trade, per detractors

Healthy economic growth under cap and trade, per detractors

I've blogged before about the dog and pony shows that some groups have been involved in to forecast economic disaster in the event Congress passes climate legislation. One study used to prop this point of view up was commissioned by...continued

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climatechange, economy, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, smears

Repowering our nation’s energy future: The Waxman-Markey Renewable Energy Standard

Repowering our nation’s energy future: The Waxman-Markey Renewable Energy Standard

"A wise [nation] will make more opportunities than [it] finds." Francis Bacon The Waxman-Markey renewable electricity standard (RES)  will put us on a path to achieve 25% renewable energy by 2025 in our nationwide electricity supply.  It offers an ambitious challenge to guide...continued

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energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, energysecurity, globalwarming, renewableenergy, waxmanmarkey

Efficiency in Waxman-Markey: Part 1 - Buildings

Efficiency in Waxman-Markey: Part 1 - Buildings

It has been a very busy couple of weeks here in Washington. It seems that folks in Congress have gotten the message that building efficiency is a great idea, no matter what the context. This is illustrated by the Waxman-Markey...continued

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buildings, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, waxmanmarkey

Title II: Energy Efficiency, No Longer Low-Hanging Fruit Under "The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009"

Title II: Energy Efficiency, No Longer Low-Hanging Fruit Under

The Waxman-Markey discussion draft entitled, “The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009”, places energy efficiency as title two, second to clean energy. Within this section is the promotion of energy efficiency in buildings, manufactured homes, appliances, transportation and...continued

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carboncaps, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, fossilfuels, globalwarming, waxmanmarkey

Waxman-Markey; Ensuring the Quality of Domestic Offsets and Tackling Emissions from Uncapped Sectors

Waxman-Markey; Ensuring the Quality of Domestic Offsets and Tackling Emissions from Uncapped Sectors

The much-anticipated ''American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009'' (a.k.a., Waxman-Markey) was finally released this past Tuesday (full draft is available here). Here's a quick look at one of the potentially thornier elements of the proposal: the role of...continued

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agriculture, capandtrade, climatechange, costcontainment, energyandclimate2009, offsetquality, offsets, uncappedsectors, waxmanmarkey

Boehner's Climate of Fear

Boehner's Climate of Fear

This week, Congressmen Waxman and Markey released a new plan to repower America with clean energy and clean jobs. And, what did we hear from the climate deniers: the same old scare tactics they roll out every time a good...continued

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boehner, capandtrade, cleaneconomy, cleanenergy, climatechange, co2mediaguide, debunk, economics, energy, energyandclimate2009, energyefficiency, fossilfuels, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs, mitstudy, waxmanmarkey

Waxman Markey Bill Shows Strong Support for Exporting Clean Technology and Building Resilience in Developing Countries

Waxman Markey Bill Shows Strong Support for Exporting Clean Technology and Building Resilience in Developing Countries

The recently released draft of the Waxman Markey draft climate bill sets the 111th Congress off to a great start, but more importantly, has put together a set of tools that will help our climate negotiators on their way to...continued

Tags:
adaptation, climatechangenegotiations, copenhagen, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, technologytransfer, waxmanmarkey

Waxman-Markey: Breaking the Deadlock on CCS

Waxman-Markey: Breaking the Deadlock on CCS

The press seems to cover Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) as a matter of routine these days - local, national and international. For someone who hasn't looked at the technology in detail, it can be hard to decipher its potential...continued

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capture, carbon, ccs, climatechange, energyandclimate2009, energysecurity, globalwarming, greenjobs, sequestration, storage, waxmanmarkey

Providing the Tools to Get a Strong International Climate Agreement: the Waxman-Markey Discussion Draft

Providing the Tools to Get a Strong International Climate Agreement: the Waxman-Markey Discussion Draft

People always ask me: how do we get a strong international commitment to solve global warming pollution?  What "tools" do U.S. negotiators (and others) have to secure an equitable commitment from all major emitters to reduce global warming pollution?  How...continued

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climatechangenegotiations, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, deforestation, developingcountries, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, UNFCCC, waxmanmarkey

Heritage Foundation Fools Itself on Carbon Taxes

Heritage Foundation Fools Itself on Carbon Taxes

The Heritage Foundation is fooling itself again. In its latest insipid 'analysis' , author Nick Loris contends that cap and trade revenues are a "tax" that will force Americans to give up essentials like food, shoes or property taxes.  (Psst....continued

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climatetax, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, heritagefoundation, smears

Recycling Scary Numbers to Protect the Status Quo

Recycling Scary Numbers to Protect the Status Quo

Yesterday Congressmen Henry Waxman and Ed Markey released a "discussion draft" of the American Clean Energy and Security Act - a comprehensive energy and climate proposal that would create good jobs, protect our security, and save our planet from the...continued

Tags:
carboncaps, economy, energyandclimate2009

Its Waxman-Markey 3, Gingrich 0 in the Climate Policy Debate

Its Waxman-Markey 3, Gingrich 0 in the Climate Policy Debate

While Newt Gingrich is expected to continue his war against climate legislation in favor of "drilling here, drilling now", this is a fight he is going to lose. In fact, climate change legislation, like the draft bill submitted by Representatives...continued

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capandinvest, capandtrade, ccs, cleanenergy, energyandclimate2009, eor, newtgingrich, waxmanmarkey

Waxman climate bill will switch on the green jobs

Waxman climate bill will switch on the green jobs

This is an exciting week in DC. House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman circulated his and Congressman Markey's draft climate bill. And you know what? It is an uplifting, inspiring proposal that challenges us to stop talking about a...continued

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energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, greeneconomy, greenjobs, greenrecovery

The Waxman-Markey Climate Bill Provides Encouraging First Steps for Regulating the Carbon Markets

The Waxman-Markey Climate Bill Provides Encouraging First Steps for Regulating the Carbon Markets

Climate change legislation remains on schedule to be out of Committee by Memorial Day and brought before the House for a floor vote this summer. The 648 page discussion draft sponsored by Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee...continued

Tags:
capandtrade, carbonregulation, carbontrading, energyandclimate2009, markettransformation, waxmanmarkey

Debunking the “light switch tax” hoax

Debunking the “light switch tax” hoax

It sure ain't the "death tax," but you have to give Rep. John Boehner points for using the phrase "light switch tax" in attacking cap-and-trade legislation. Of course, it would be nice if Boehner and Sen. Mitch McConnell weren't insisting...continued

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climatechange, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, globalwarmingsolutions, legislation, smears

Countdown to Copenhagen: Why the U.S. Must Act at Home

Countdown to Copenhagen: Why the U.S. Must Act at Home

Yesterday marked the long-awaited release of the Waxman-Markey "discussion draft" of a clean energy and climate bill. I welcomed this development. After all, I have worked for more than a decade to prepare for the moment we find ourselves in:...continued

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china, copenhagen, copenhagencountdown, energyandclimate2009, globalwarming, markey, USCAP, waxman

Fuels Emissions Cap and Low Carbon Fuel Standard Are Key Parts of House Climate Proposal

Fuels Emissions Cap and Low Carbon Fuel Standard Are Key Parts of House Climate Proposal

Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee proposed essential policies for cleaning up our fuel supply and reducing our dependence on oil. The proposal includes transportation fuels under an economy-wide cap and establishes a complementary, performance-based low carbon fuel standard....continued

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CAFE, energyandclimate2009, fueleconomystandards, globalwarming, lowcarbonfuelstandard, oildependence, transportation

"First Read" of the Waxman-Markey Energy and Climate Discussion Draft

                                                                          corrected copy, posted April 1 Congressmen Henry Waxman and Ed Markey today released their long-awaited "discussion draft" of the American Clean Energy and Security Act - a bold starting point for passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation through Congress...continued

Tags:
energyandclimate2009, energysecurity, globalwarming, greenjobs

Waxman and Markey Jumpstart House Clean Energy Discussion

Waxman and Markey Jumpstart House Clean Energy Discussion

Today Congressmen Henry Waxman and Ed Markey released draft legislative language that could propel America into a clean energy future, cut global warming pollution, and create millions of jobs in the process. This is a welcome development, because even though President Obama has...continued

Tags:
cleanenergy, economicstimulus, energyandclimate2009, globalwarmingbill, greeneconomy, greenjobs, markey, pelosi, waxman

Galbraith Calls Clean Energy the Next Engine for Economic Growth

Galbraith Calls Clean Energy the Next Engine for Economic Growth

Every meeting I have with the Obama administration or members of Congress these days focuses on the economic crisis. But that doesn't mean we aren't also talking about environmental solutions as well. The two are closely linked. A recent Washington...continued

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cleanenergy, cleantech, economicstimulus, energyandclimate2009, galbraith, globalwarming, greeneconomy, greenjobs
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