Tuesday, 10 Jul 2007

Rocking the Cradle of Democracy

Energy debate leads to unprecedented government shutdown in Pennsylvania

More than 24,000 state workers in Pennsylvania are back on the job today, after a fierce debate over budget issues -- including transportation and clean energy -- led Gov. Ed Rendell (D) to enact an unprecedented partial government shutdown yesterday. At a late-night press conference, Rendell said an agreement had been reached on a $27.3 billion budget for the fiscal year, which began July 1. The major sticking point had been an $850 million alternative-energy fund proposed by Rendell. Republicans did not dig the proposal, which included a monthly surcharge on electricity (45 cents for households and $3 for most businesses), but have agreed to revisit the issue in September. And that's what the kids call compromise. Legislators did agree on a "historic" transportation package that will provide $900 million annually over the next decade for road-building and mass transit. "If you ride mass transit," said a slightly punchy Rendell, "you are going to take this as one heck of a budget."

If I Could Escape

Ford, Southern California Edison partner to test plug-in hybrids

Two No. 2 businesses have unveiled a first-of-its-kind alliance: Ford Motor Co., the No. 2 automaker in the U.S., and Southern California Edison, the country's second-largest utility, will partner for "real-world" testing of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Starting late this year, Ford will begin sending 20 plug-in Escape SUVs to Edison, which will deliver them to a teeny handful of its 13 million customers. The utility will measure data on the vehicle's range, durability, and impact on the power grid. Ford CEO Alan Mulally says he expects plug-ins -- which can be charged in regular outlets -- to be on the market in five to 10 years, but he and others hasten to point out that there are hurdles, most significantly perfecting battery technology. "Right now we have a lot to learn," says Susan M. Cischke, a Ford senior vice president. The company is in a race of sorts with General Motors, which introduced a concept version of the plug-in Chevrolet Volt in January and hopes to produce the cars by 2010.


The wackadoo jargon encircling bottles of Dr. Bronner's organic, animal-friendly soap products is infamous ("ENJOY ONLY 2 COSMETICS, enough sleep & Dr. Bronner's 'Magic Soap' to clean body-mind-spirit instantly uniting One! All-One!"), and the story of the not-really-a-doctor and his all-purpose cleaning empire is just as quirky as one might expect. Grist's Kate Sheppard reviews a new documentary that takes a look at the man behind the madness.

The Sweet Smell of Politics

Rep. John Dingell proposes carbon tax, doesn't really mean it

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the powerful chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, plans to introduce a carbon-tax bill that would raise the cost of burning fossil fuels. Yep, you heard that right: Dingell's proposal, announced in an interview on C-SPAN, would impose a double-digit tax on each ton of carbon dioxide emitted and raise the federal gasoline tax from 18.4 cents per gallon to 68.4 cents. But hold your applause (or threats) -- Dingell's goal is not to push through a bold climate measure, but to illustrate how unpopular such a tax would be. "I sincerely doubt that the American people will be willing to pay what this is really going to cost them," he said. Most Democrats and Republicans have long concurred, believing that supporting any broad energy tax is political suicide. Dingell's committee will draft a climate bill this fall, and a number of Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), are pushing him to make that bill strong. And sincere would also be nice.

Welcome Back, Kosher

Popularity of "eco-kosher" diet growing in U.S.

Eco-food awareness has undeniably seeped into the mainstream, and religious communities are no exception. More and more, a low-impact diet is seen not just as a matter of health or ethics, but as a spiritual obligation. As evidence, look no further than the quickly growing "eco-kosher" movement; its followers seek nourishment that not only adheres to traditional Jewish dietary laws, but is also local, organic, sustainable, and humane. Eager to make eco-kosher eating as easy as possible, a group of Conservative Jews is drawing up a label for packaged kosher foods to let consumers know when they are supporting a processor with a transparent business model, respect for animals and the earth, and fair treatment for employees. While only about 15 percent of the 5.2 million Jews in the U.S. keep strict kosher, surveys show that less than a quarter of shoppers who choose kosher items are observant Jews. The $225 billion segment encompasses about 100,000 items, so the new label could have a big impact.