House passes ambitious energy bill, Bush threatens veto
The first national renewable-energy standard. Revoked oil-industry tax breaks that will help pay for clean energy. Funding for green job creation. A carbon-neutral federal government. What's all this, the deluded longings of some kooky environmentalist? Nope, it's a few of the features of the massive energy bill passed by the U.S. House on Saturday. "We are turning toward the future," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). "This beautiful planet is God's gift to us. We have a moral responsibility to preserve it." The legislation -- which notably requires utilities to generate 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020, but does not address vehicle fuel economy -- still faces hurdles: it must be morphed with the Senate version passed in June, then weather the withering gaze of President Bush, who has threatened a veto. But hey, let's just be happy for now. The vote is "a big, big deal," said Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.). "There has been no legislation like this for a generation."
source: Los Angeles Times, Noam N. Levey and Richard Simon, 05 Aug 2007
source: The New York Times, John M. Broder, 05 Aug 2007
source: San Francisco Chronicle, Zachary Coile, 05 Aug 2007
see also, in Gristmill: Green Jobs Act of 2007
Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) [UPDATED]
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)
Cautious optimism for Copenhagen deal as Barcelona climate talks end
Comments
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horrorz Posted 4:43 am
07 Aug 2007
DEMAND IMPEACHMENT of the President Bush and Vice President Cheney.
Global warming solutions cannot wait until January 2009.
For more check out: www.worldcantwait.org
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kenrosso Posted 4:57 am
07 Aug 2007
We can do better.
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Tim Hurst Posted 6:15 am
07 Aug 2007
As it stands now, individual states and municipalities are showing the most leadership in issues of climate change, but relying solely on them to tackle this problem will bring uneven, piecemeal legislation, as well as the potential for a "race to the bottom." On the bright side, this country is undergoing a demographic metamorphosis which might just bring real change to the places it is needed most.
For more on bill reconciliation and the renewable the emergent politics of renewable energy visit http://ecopolitology.blogspot.com
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