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| Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
Happy go drilly
McCain says he's willing to 'examine' his stance against drilling in ANWR |
Kate Sheppard |
19 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The News-Leader in Springfield, Mo. has more on McCain's energy policy roundtable yesterday. Seems he also indicated that he's open to reconsidering his stance on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which he has consistently opposed in the past. 'I would be more than happy to examine it again,' McCain told the crowd. Guess it might not be so special after all. |
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| Topics: Arctic Refuge, John McCain, Muckraker, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Tough draft
Draft copy of EPA rulemaking on fuel efficiency suggests higher standards are possible |
Kate Sheppard |
19 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal teased that they'd gotten ahold of an advance draft of the EPA's regulatory proposals for automobile fuel efficiency. According to the WSJ, EPA staffers found that cars and trucks could be even more fuel-efficient by 2020 than the 35 miles per gallon required by the latest update to CAFE standards. The draft notes that advanced technologies like plug-in hybrid vehicles could help raise fuel efficiency well beyond 35 mile ... |
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| Topics: fuel efficiency, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US EPA (all these topics) |
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No luv from Democratic guvs
McCain's offshore drilling plan irks coastal state governors |
Kate Sheppard |
18 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The Obama campaign hosted a press conference this afternoon with Democratic governors to highlight opposition to John McCain's call to end the moratorium on offshore drilling. The governors expressed uniform distaste with the proposal, and skepticism that voters in their states would approve of drilling off their coasts. 'Our economy is driven by tourism and use of the shore,' said Jon Corzine, governor of New Jersey. 'I think we would have a hard time getting p ... |
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| Topics: energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, offshore drilling, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics) |
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A Springfield in his step
McCain goes to Springfield, talks up nukes and coal |
Kate Sheppard |
18 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| John McCain followed up yesterday's energy speech with more energy talk today during a roundtable at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. Today he focused more specifically on his support for two energy sources: nuclear power and 'clean coal.' The roundtable also featured Greg Boyce, CEO of Peabody Energy, the world's largest coal company, and Mike Chesser, CEO of Great Plains Energy. The panel was moderated by Jim Jones, a Chevron board member and pre ... |
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| Topics: coal, elections, energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, nuclear power, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Windfalling for you
Did McCain switch positions on windfall profits tax? |
Kate Sheppard |
18 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| John McCain on a windfall profits tax, in his speech on energy policy delivered in Houston yesterday: So what does Senator Obama support in energy policy? Well, for starters he supported the energy bill of 2005 -- a grab-bag of corporate favors that I opposed. And now he supports new taxes on energy producers. He wants a windfall profits tax on oil, to go along with the new taxes he also plans for coal and natural gas. If the plan sounds familiar, it's because tha ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, elections, Muckraker, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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House party
Yet another climate bill introduced in the House; greens applaud |
Kate Sheppard |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Since climate change legislation failed to gather steam in the Senate this month, all eyes are now on the House. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) has been promising a bill for months. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming, put out an ambitious bill in early June. Today, Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) added their own legislatio ... |
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| Topics: climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
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'Simply so special'
McCain adviser on oil drilling in ecologically sensitive areas |
Kate Sheppard |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| McCain adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin held a press call with reporters tonight after the candidate's energy speech in Houston. One particularly interesting question came up: A reporter asked why, if McCain thinks people who live in coastal states should decide whether to allow drilling off their shores, that view doesn't extend to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Reporter: Why not have that viewpoint for people in Alaska who want to drill in ANWR? Holtz-Eakin ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, Arctic Refuge, John McCain, Muckraker, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Deja vu ... all over again
Senate again rejects legislation to extend tax credits for renewables |
Kate Sheppard |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 this afternoon. The vote was 52-44, well short of the 60 needed to move the legislation forward. This legislation would have extended the investment tax credits (ITC) for solar energy and the production tax credits (PTC) for wind, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, landfill gas, and solid waste. The vote fell primarily along party lines, though Republicans Norm Coleman (Minn.), ... |
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| Topics: Congress, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, renewable energy (all these topics) |
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Texas hold 'em
McCain calling for offshore drilling, renewables, and conservation in energy speech |
Kate Sheppard |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| John McCain. John McCain will give a big speech on energy policy this afternoon to a group of oil executives in Houston, Texas. According to his prepared remarks, his address will highlight the need to forge a path to energy independence, calling for expanded domestic oil and gas drilling as well as a move toward renewable energy sources and conservation. 'The next president must be willing to break with the energy policies not just of the current adminis ... |
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| Topics: energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Mixed messages
McCain releases new climate ad ahead of speech calling for more drilling |
Kate Sheppard |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| John McCain unveiled a new climate-change ad today -- hours before he's scheduled to give an energy speech in Texas that will call for building more oil refineries and lifting a federal ban on offshore oil and gas drilling. 'John McCain stood up to the president and sounded the alarm on global warming, five years ago,' says the ad. 'Today, he has a realistic plan that will curb greenhouse-gas emissions. A plan that will help grow our economy and protect our envi ... |
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| Topics: climate, energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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There's Gore where that came from
Gore endorses Obama, says candidate has what it takes to tackle climate crisis |
Kate Sheppard |
16 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Al Gore endorsed Barack Obama on Monday evening in Detroit, Mich., calling him 'a candidate who, in response to those doubting our ability to solve the climate crisis and create a bright future, inspired millions to say, 'Yes we can.'' 'For America to lead the world through the dangers and opportunity we're seeing before us, we've got to have new leadership,' said Gore. 'After eight years of incompetence, neglect and failure, we need change.' Gore said John McCai ... |
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| Topics: Al Gore, Barack Obama, elections, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Contempt at last?
Johnson, Dudley may be held in contempt of Congress by week's end |
Kate Sheppard |
16 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and Susan Dudley of the White House Office of Management and Budget may be held in contempt of Congress by the end of this week for failing to turn over documents related to recent controversial decisions on smog and California's request for a waiver that would let the state set tougher auto-emissions standards than the federal government. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is slated to vote Friday on wheth ... |
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| Topics: Congress, Muckraker, news, politics, Stephen Johnson, US EPA (all these topics) |
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All that, and Gore
Al Gore to endorse Barack Obama in Detroit tonight |
Kate Sheppard |
16 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| At long last, Al Gore is jumping back into the presidential election ring. With an endorsement, we mean. In a speech to be delivered at 8:30 p.m. EST in Detroit, Mich., the Goracle will endorse Barack Obama. From the announcement on Gore's blog: A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected Presiden ... |
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| Topics: Al Gore, Barack Obama, elections, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Depends on the definition of the word 'mandatory'
John McCain doesn't appear to understand his own emissions plan |
Kate Sheppard |
16 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Also from John McCain's press conference this morning, the senator from Arizona once again makes it clear that he doesn't really understand cap-and-trade: QUESTION: The European Union has set mandatory targets on renewable energy. Is that something you would consider in a McCain administration? [...] MCCAIN: Sure. I believe in the cap-and-trade system, as you know. I would not at this time make those -- impose a mandatory cap at this time. But I do believe that w ... |
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| Topics: carbon trading, John McCain, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Drill if you want to
McCain emphasizes drilling and states rights in advance of big energy speech |
Kate Sheppard |
16 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| John McCain is slated to give a major policy address on energy tomorrow in Houston, Texas. In a press conference today, he tipped his hand about what that speech will include: He says he'll call for federal limits on oil and gas exploration to be lifted, in order to allow states that want to permit exploration within their boundaries to do so. 'I think that this, and perhaps providing additional incentives for states to permit exploration off their coasts, would ... |
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| Topics: energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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A matter of rust
Obama talks up energy plans in the Rust Belt |
Kate Sheppard |
16 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Barack Obama was in Wayne, Pa., on Saturday, where he highlighted energy costs and the need for new energy policy in a town hall meeting. 'It isn't an accident that gas prices are this high,' the presumptive Democratic nominee told the crowd. 'It's because Washington failed to deal with the challenge of alternative energy when it had the chance. Instead we've had an energy policy that's been written by and for the big oil and gas companies.' Obama impugned Geor ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, economy, Michigan, Muckraker, news, Pennsylvania, politics (all these topics) |
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Drill on the Hill
Republicans exanding their drill base, at least to other Republicans |
Kate Sheppard |
15 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| While Dick Cheney's busy cheerleading for increased domestic drilling from the White House, House Republicans have been cooking up yet another bill to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to drilling. The bill, which they're calling the 'American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act,' would 'direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound prog ... |
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| Topics: Arctic Refuge, energy, Muckraker, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics) |
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Maintaining relations
Council on Foreign Relations releases new report on climate change and U.S. policy |
Kate Sheppard |
13 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The Council on Foreign Relations released a new report this week on how the United States should approach foreign policy as it relates to climate change. 'Confronting Climate Change: A Strategy for U.S. Foreign Policy,' as one might expect, indicates that the U.S. needs to come up with a mandatory emissions reduction plan if it wants China, India, and other rapidly developing countries to sign on to a new global pact. 'Visible U.S. leadership is essential to getting ... |
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| Topics: carbon trading, climate, international treaties, Muckraker, news, politics (all these topics) |
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Oh say can you CCS?
Boucher and Upton introduce bipartisan legislation to invest in carbon sequestration technology |
Kate Sheppard |
13 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| House Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-Va.) and ranking minority member Fred Upton (R-Mich.) introduced industry-backed legislation on Wednesday to invest billions of dollars in carbon capture-and-sequestration (CCS) technology. The bill [PDF] is intended to 'accelerate the development and early deployment of systems for the capture and storage of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel electric generation facilities.' It would create ... |
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| Topics: carbon sequestration, climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics (all these topics) |
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Back on the train again
House passes Amtrak authorization by veto-proof margin |
Kate Sheppard |
12 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The House passed a bill yesterday to allocate nearly $15 billion to Amtrak, a move intended to give travelers an alternative as gas prices soar. The bill, which would authorize funding for the passenger railroad for the next five years, passed by a vote of 311-104 -- a veto-proof margin. Within the funding package, $14.9 billion goes to Amtrak, intercity rail services, and a grant program to help states create or expand rail service. Another $1.5 billion would ... |
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| Topics: legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, public transportation (all these topics) |
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Dick move
Cheney perpetuates myth about China-Cuba oil partnership |
Kate Sheppard |
12 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| During his 'drill, drill, drill' rant yesterday, Dick Cheney complained that Cuba and China are drilling for oil closer to the coast of Florida than American companies are currently allowed. It's become a common talking point for Republicans arguing that more areas should be opened to drilling -- but, reports McClatchy, it appears to be bogus. [N]o one can prove that the Chinese are drilling anywhere off Cuba's shoreline. The China-Cuba connection is 'akin to ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, Cuba, energy, Muckraker, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics) |
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Dingell dangle
Dingell promises climate bill friendlier to manufacturers |
Kate Sheppard |
12 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) has been saying for months now that a climate bill from his committee is on the way. Yesterday he talked about his pending legislation to industry folks, promising it would be friendlier to their interests than the Senate bill that failed last week: Dingell told the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, the auto supplier trade association, at a luncheon on Capitol Hill Wednesday that the cl ... |
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| Topics: climate, energy, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
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So, what now?
What we learned from the stymied Climate Security Act, and what comes next |
Kate Sheppard |
12 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| After months of engine-revving, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act sputtered to a halt in the Senate last week. Now attention has turned to what was learned -- or wasn't -- and how things might play out the next time a climate bill makes it this far. Despite what looked from the outside like an unproductive and anticlimactic week of grandstanding and delays, the bill's sponsors emerged from the experience claiming sunny optimism about the future. 'It ... |
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| Topics: Barbara Boxer, climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
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Drill team coach
Cheney: 'Drill, drill, drill' |
Kate Sheppard |
12 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Dick Cheney has weighed in with his answer to the nation's energy woes: Vice President Cheney yesterday called for a substantial increase in domestic drilling for oil and other natural resources, including in environmentally sensitive areas, saying that only increased production -- and not new technology -- will satisfy the nation's demand for energy. 'We are an economy that runs on petroleum. Some 20 million barrels of it a day. That can and will change over tim ... |
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| Topics: Muckraker, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics) |
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No country for dead dinosaurs
House committee hears testimony on the future of oil (hint: it's dim) |
Kate Sheppard |
11 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| With gas prices at record highs and the Senate engaged in a fruitless struggle to find a new way forward on energy policy, the House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming held a timely hearing this morning on 'The Future of Oil.' The general consensus: the long-term prognosis for global oil supply and demand ain't good, and the U.S. had better start doing something different, quick. But what exactly? No consensus on that point. Many Rep ... |
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| Topics: energy, Muckraker, news, oil, politics, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
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