Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The legislation

The scoop on climate and energy bills in Congress 2
Posted 5 months, 2 weeks ago
What are the U.S. House and Senate doing about climate change and energy? Here's a rundown on legislation proposed in Congress this year.
How Much Does a Guilty Corporation Owe?

The Unsettling Case of Shell Nigeria 0
Posted 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Offsets: Pissing the earth away 1
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago
More than 2 and half years ago I wrote:

"Mommy, where do carbon offsets come from?"

"Well, you see sweetheart, when a major polluter and a consultant love money very, very much, they express that love in a special way. Nine months later, the consultant produces an extremely large paper packet."

Offsets -- the idea that big corporations can pay someone else to cut emissions on their behalf -- still fails as badly today as when that was written.
Let's get a move on here

Sierra Club, MoveOn call on House leaders to strengthen climate bill 1
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago
The Sierra Club, MoveOn, and other green and progressive groups have sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) asking her to work to strengthen the American Clean Energy and Security Act when it moves to the House floor.
A common person’s guide to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 1
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago
On May 21, following months of work, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a 946-page piece of climate legislation. There have been mixed reactions from environmental and climate groups, but most groups are in agreement that it needs to be strengthened going forward. Here's a summary analysis of the main features of the bill.
Just the facts, ma'am

Everything you always wanted to know about the Waxman-Markey energy/climate bill—in bullet points 12
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago
You keep hearing about the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill -- aka the American Clean Energy and Security Act -- but what's actually in it? We combed through the 946-page beast so you don't have to.
Clapping louder

Offsets are still counterfeit carbon credits 3
Posted 5 months, 4 weeks ago
The arguments in favor of counterfeit carbon credits still fail no matter how often they are repeated. Here are some common talking points, and my replies.
Nancy goes to China

Congressional leaders head to China to make nice on climate 0
Posted 6 months ago
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in China this week leading a congressional delegation to discuss, among other things, climate change and environmental protections. But despite the public displays of unity on climate, there remain some strong divisions between the two countries on what needs to happen in Copenhagen this year.
CAFE serves up tasty emission cuts

Critique of auto standards misses how they save consumers money compared to gas taxes 1
Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
Robert Stavins thinks an increased gasoline tax or cap-and-trade would make Obama's tougher auto efficiency standards redundant. This offers an excellent illustration of how even economists who are not market fundamentalists can miss the way well-designed regulation improves economic efficiency.
A green elephant in the room

Climate change legislation, beyond party and faction 2
Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
A green Republican reflects on the state of his party when it comes to passing climate and energy legislation this year.
Do you see a vase or an old woman?

Waxman-Markey Rorschach blot, illustrated 5
Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
A visual comparison of the old Waxman-Markey bill and the updated one.
Energy-related CO2 emissions declined by 2.8 percent in 2008 0
Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
The Energy Information Administration has released its flash estimate for 2008 energy-related CO2 emissions.
Coming clean

The scoop on Obama’s new fuel-economy rules 6
Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
On May 19, President Barack Obama unveiled new standards to regulate fuel economy and greenhouse-gas emissions from cars and light trucks. Find out what that really means.
Delay of game

Republicans plan to offer hundreds of amendments to slow climate bill 0
Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
The House Energy and Commerce Committee kicked off debate on the Waxman-Markey climate bill on Monday, beginning what will likely be a grueling week of work to move the bill forward before Memorial Day.
Get out of my dreams, get into my car

Obama’s new mileage rules will be first real step to curb planet-warming emissions 18
Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
President Obama is unveiling new fuel-economy standards for automobiles -- the first major step by his administration to limit planet-warming greenhouse gases.
A tale of two Washingtons

EPA to hold public hearings on ‘climate endangerment’ in DC, Seattle 0
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
The U.S. EPA is holding two public hearings next week on the "climate endangerment" finding -- one in D.C. and one in Seattle. Find out how to make your voice heard.
Let's make a deal

Revamped House climate and energy bill has the votes to pass, says Waxman 4
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Democrats in the House have come close to agreement on a sweeping climate and energy bill. It's weaker than the original version, but backers say it has enough support to pass.
Stand By Me

BC voters back carbon tax 1
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Carbon emissions met its first big electoral test this week, as British Columbia voters rewarded BC premier Gordon Campbell, who last July instituted North America's first major carbon tax, with a third four-year term.
Republicans spin the press; dog bites man

‘Obama White House’ not challenging EPA endangerment finding [UPDATES] 2
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
There's a story floating around today claiming the "Obama White House" is challenging the EPA's endangerment finding on greenhouse gases. It's not true.
What are you smoking, Smokey Joe?

Barton worries that EPA will regulate runners 5
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) is concerned about the plight of marathon runners under a cap-and-trade plan. No, we're not making this up.