Capitol Hotline (Oct. 14)
Bipartisan support for Senate climate bill, business leaders go to Washington to support climate, Obama wins Nobel Prize, Obama orders agencies to set reduction targets, Congress investigates forged letters, Bongkok wrap-up, IEA report on costs/benefits of climate action, CA auto emissions lawsuit draws support from states and enviro groups, "Bring 'em on" says US Chamber
In this issue
- Hot Topic of the Week:
o Bipartisan Breakthrough: Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Graham (R-SC) Highlight Support for Moving Climate and Energy Legislation
- USCAN
o Latest from Energy Rebellion
- Inside the Beltway
o Business Leaders Go to Washington in Support of Climate
o Obama Awarded Nobel Prize
o Obama Orders Agencies to Set Reduction Targets
o Congress to Investigate Fraudulent Letter Campaign
- Outside the Beltway
o As Bangkok Concludes, Boxer Says Obama Could Commit to Targets With or Without US Bill
o Benefits Outweigh Costs for Climate Action, IEA Report
o States and Environmental Groups Show Support in California Auto Emissions Lawsuit
o "Bring 'Em On" Says U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Other Headlines
- Capitol Hill Events
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Hot Topic of the Week
Bipartisan Breakthrough: Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Graham (R-SC) Highlight Support for Moving Climate and Energy Legislation
In New York Times op-ed this Saturday, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) joined together to show bipartisan support for moving forward climate and energy legislation that will create jobs and increase national security. The senators highlighted the need for a range of energy options including renewables, nuclear power and environmentally sensitive oil and gas exploration. Graham's support of climate and energy legislation is a bipartisan breakthrough that could be the first step to building a coalition that garners 60 votes on the chamber's floor. Read reactions to the op-ed.
Last week, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) said her committee would approve a bill before negotiations in Copenhagen this December. This Thursday, the Foreign Relations committee will discuss the threat of climate change to the world's most vulnerable populations.
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USCAN
Latest from Energy Rebellion
- The LA Times and Energy Secretary Steven Chu joined a growing chorus of critics of the US Chamber of Commerce over its position of energy legislation.
- Companies from across the country sent more than 150 executives to Washington to meet with legislators and administration officials to argue that climate and energy legislation will help create jobs and new economic opportunities.
- Apple quit the US Chamber of Commerce because of its opposition to climate and energy legislation, while the Boston Globe said the chamber had gone "off the rails."
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Inside the Beltway
Business Leaders Go to Washington in Support of Climate
Over 150 business leaders from utilities, manufacturers and clean-energy companies swarmed Capitol Hill last week, calling on President Obama and the Senate to enact comprehensive climate and energy legislation. Executives said that certainty is essential for the companies to plan for the future. In addition, major brands including United Technologies, Johnson & Johnson, GE and others, joined Nature Conservancy and Environmental Defense Fund to launch an advertising campaign in support of climate and clean energy legislation. Read more at Politico
Obama Awarded Nobel Prize
President Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize last week. Among the commendations, the Norwegian Nobel Committee highlighted President Obama's role in helping the United States play a "more constructive role" in confronting climate change. Just two years ago, former Vice President Al Gore received the Nobel Prize in recognition for his work on climate issues. Read more at Greenwire
Obama Orders Agencies to Set Reduction Targets
President Obama signed an executive order requiring federal government agencies -- cumulatively the nation's top energy consumer -- to measure their greenhouse gas emissions and set reduction targets for 2020. The executive order also sets other environmental targets including 50 percent reduction in waste, 50 percent increase in recycling, 30 percent of vehicle petroleum use and 26 percent water efficiency improvement. Read more at Washington Post
Congress to Investigate Fraudulent Letter Campaign
This week, Congress will investigate a series of fraudulent letters sent to several of its members expressing opposition to clean energy and climate legislation. In recent weeks, Bonner & Associates sent more than a dozen fabricated letters to members of Congress in opposition to the Waxman-Markey legislation. The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming will hold an investigative hearing this Thursday. Read more at Think Progress
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Outside the Beltway
As Bangkok Concludes, Boxer Says Obama Could Commit to Targets With or Without US Bill
United Nations negotiations on climate change in Bangkok concluded last week. The Danish Prime Minister said the negotiations are progressing at a slow pace and required personal intervention of heads of state if Copenhagen was to produce a successful outcome. European Union, Denmark and Indian leaders expressed willingness to work toward a last-minute agreement in Copenhagen, but suggested it was more likely a broad framework would be agreed to this year, the details of which would be determined in 2010. While last week Jonathan Pershing, U.S. Deputy Envoy on Climate Change, said it would be “extraordinarily difficult” for the administration to commit to a numerical reduction target before Congress passed a bill, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer claimed that the administration should be able to commit to a target based on what has already been accomplished. Read more at E&E News (sub. req’d).
Benefits Outweigh Costs for Climate Action, IEA Report
The benefits of combating climate change far outweigh the costs of taking action, finds a new far-reaching report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). An excerpt of the World Energy Outlook report was released during the Bangkok UNFCCC meeting, setting out the latest greenhouse-gas emissions trends in light of the financial crisis. Among the findings, the report claims that $10 trillion over the next two decades is necessary to accelerate innovation in clean energy technologies in order to stabilize carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at 450ppm. Read more at Environment News Service
States and Environmental Groups Show Support in California Auto Emissions Lawsuit
Numerous states and environmental groups are backing up the U.S. EPA on their decision to grant California a waiver under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. In response to lawsuit brought by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Automobile Dealers Association seeking to overturn the decision, eighteen states along with Environment California, Sierra Club, National Resources Defense Council, and Environmental Defense Fund filed a petition to be granted intervener status on the side of the EPA. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have already adopted the automobile emissions law for which California was granted a waiver. Read more at E&E News
"Bring 'Em On" Says U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has no regrets about the group's climate positions, even as Apple and other major companies jettison from the organization. Over the weekend, Toyota was the latest organization to distance themselves from the Chamber's position. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said it was "wonderful" that so many companies have defected and suggested more companies follow suit. When asked about critics from businesses, Congress and environmental groups, Donohue remained defiant. "Bring 'em on," he said.
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Other Headlines
- Pacific Ocean ‘Dead Zone’ Caused by Climate Change, Irreversible
- Kerry & Graham: Yes We Can (Pass Climate Change Legislation)
- California Governor Signs Bills that Boost Solar Power
- Federal Scientists: Limit Offshore Drilling Plans
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Capitol Hill Events
- Oct 14: Markup of chemical & water facility security bills (House En & Com)
- Oct 14: Markup of OTC derivatives legislation (House Fin Services)
- Oct 14: Hearing on high-speed rail (Senate Trans & Infrastructure)
- Oct 14: Hearing on cap-and-trade legislation (Senate En & NR)
- Oct 14: Vote on USGS, ARPA nominees (Senate En & NR)
- Oct 15: Hearing on EPA Clean Water Act enforcement (House Trans & Infrastructure)
- Oct 15: Hearing on NOAA education programs (House NR)
- Oct 15: Hearing on climate change and adaptation (Senate FR)
- Oct 16: Hearing on low-level radioactive waste import ban legislation (House En & Comm)
