Grist | Topics | 242 Results

RESULTS		Results 51 – 75 of 242
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Headline	Author	Published	Section
Meet the new alternative ... Guess which 'alternative energy' lobby is biggest?	David Roberts	05 Aug 2008	Gristmill
Between the start of the year and June 2008, the oil and gas industries spent $52.21 million lobbying Congress. Alternative energy industries spent $11.39 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. And look who's tops on the alternative energy lobbying pile, with more than double the expenditures of the next on the list: American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity: $1.87M National Biodiesel Board: $679,913 Solar Energy Industries Associ ...
Topics: biofuels, coal, Congress, lobbying, oil, politics, renewable energy (all these topics)

House Republican deep thought of the day	David Roberts	05 Aug 2008	Gristmill
I've been trying to pick my favorite quote from the festival of fatuous puffery that is John Boehner's 'House Republican Uprising Live Blog.' I think I may have found a winner in this doozy from Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.): I went to the nearest gas station and talked to people pumping gas to see what the number one thing on their mind was, and they said it was the price of gas.
Topics: Congress, gas prices, politics, quotables (all these topics)

Our modern-day Eris House Republicans' magical thinking on oil prices	David Roberts	05 Aug 2008	Gristmill
Wow. House Republicans are now saying that their hissy fit cum frat party on the floor is lowering the price of oil. Not for the first time, I have to wonder: do they believe this? Do they really indulge in this kind of magical thinking? The oil price issue is an interesting political case. It's immensely influential in our daily economic life, but we have virtually no idea why it behaves the way it does. Oil is like the gods were for Greeks -- omnipresent, looming, ...
Topics: Congress, gas prices, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

Going rates How much does it take to buy a protest on the floor of the House?	David Roberts	04 Aug 2008	Gristmill
Here's another interesting chart (via Josh Nelson via Open Secrets) showing the amount of oil and gas contributions to the House Republicans now engaging in pep rally theatrics on the floor of the House: Republican House Member 2006 2008 Rep. Lynn Westmoreland $0 $0 Rep. John Boehner $65,000 $0 Rep. Adam Putnam $0 $20,000 Rep. Roy Blunt $87,300 $98,900 Rep. Louie Gohmert $76,700 $29,850 Rep. Tom Price $0 $ ...
Topics: Congress, energy, oil and gas drilling, politics, US House of Representatives (all these topics)

Now they're ready The history of House Republicans on energy in the 110th Congress	David Roberts	04 Aug 2008	Gristmill
As you contemplate the House Republican spectacle today, wherein they protest the "Democrat five-week vacation" in the face of high gas prices, keep a few things in mind. The 109th Congress -- the first session of Bush's second term -- worked the least, and accomplished the least, of any Congress since the original do-nothing Congress of 1948. The Republicans totally botched it when they ran the place. Meanwhile, the 110th has worked its tail off, in the fa ...
Topics: Congress, energy, legislation, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

A pox on the House Republicans continue shenanigans in the Capitol	Kate Sheppard	04 Aug 2008	Gristmill
As Grist reported, Republicans miffed about Congress going on August recess without a vote on offshore drilling started a sit-in in the Capitol on Friday. The shenanigans continued until police escorted the tourists out of the chamber at 4:30 p.m., and GOP lawmakers went home for the night. 'Today is the 2008 version of the Boston Tea Party,' said Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.). Missouri's Roy Blunt says: I'm not going home until you Show Me the drilling. Pho ...
Topics: Congress, Muckraker, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, shenanigans, video (all these topics)

A handshake at a knife fight Should Obama consider compromise on drilling?	David Roberts	04 Aug 2008	Gristmill
Obama is taking lots of heat for his softening on offshore drilling. I have mixed feelings. On one hand, it's extremely important to get the renewable tax credits passed, and Republicans have made it very clear they won't allow that to happen unless they get some drilling. As usual, Dems don't have the votes to overcome united Republican opposition, so the choice is to let the credits go down in flames -- and get tagged as ineffectual on the most hot-potato political ...
Topics: Congress, energy, oil and gas drilling, politics, renewable energy, tax incentives (all these topics)

Not so fast Coastal governors stand in the way of offshore drilling, even if Congress approves it	Kate Sheppard	04 Aug 2008	Gristmill
President Bush keeps repeating his call for Congress to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling. Republican presidential candidate John McCain is consistently drilling home the same message. And on Wednesday of last week, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said that just in case the ban is lifted, his department is laying the groundwork so offshore drilling in new areas could begin in as few as three years. What drilling proponents don't say is that even if the ...
Topics: Congress, Muckraker, news, offshore drilling, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

Waived by the bell Congress goes on recess without passing energy legislation	Kate Sheppard	01 Aug 2008	Gristmill
Congress broke for August recess today without making any notable progress on energy issues -- as expected. Despite multiple attempts in both the House and Senate to pass legislation that would curb oil-market speculation, release some oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and extend tax credits for renewable energy, members of Congress will go home to their districts this weekend with nothing to tout. House Republicans decided to protest the lack of movemen ...
Topics: Congress, energy, Muckraker, news, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

'Can this planet be saved?' Conservatives will drill-and-burn this planet to the point of destruction	Joseph Romm	01 Aug 2008	Gristmill
Great Paul Krugman column in The New York Times today. And another absurd Charles Krauthammer column in The Washington Post -- yes, I know, that's a dog bites man story. They both teed off Nancy Pelosi's statement that one of the reasons she was blocking a vote on coastal drilling was, 'I'm trying to save the planet; I'm trying to save the planet.' Krugman understood that, notwithstanding the fact that offshore drilling would never have a significant impact on oil ...
Topics: climate, Congress, John McCain, mainstream media, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

Chomping at the drill bit The offshore drilling hoax, part 2	Joseph Romm	29 Jul 2008	Gristmill
In part 1 we saw that lifting the moratorium on coastal drilling can't possibly reduce gasoline prices. After all, two years ago, we opened most of the Gulf of Mexico -- with its estimated 41 billion barrels of oil -- and oil prices then doubled. The remaining prohibited coastal areas have only 18 billion barrels, of which 10 billion is off of California and likely to be blocked by the state. Another four of the 18 billion is in the Eastern Gulf off of Florida, which ...
Topics: Congress, energy, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

Deadlock, stock, and oil barrel Congress hopes to break energy deadlock before August recess -- but don't hold your breath	Kate Sheppard	29 Jul 2008	Gristmill
Members of Congress are desperate to pass anything something on energy this week before August recess begins on Friday and they head home to face voters restive over gas prices. But Democrats and Republicans are so bitterly divided over what to do that prospects for progress look uncertain at best. Democrats in both branches of Congress are hoping to pass bills to curb speculation in the oil-futures market and release some oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reser ...
Topics: Congress, energy, legislation, Muckraker, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

Breakfast with Bingaman Sen. Bingaman talks climate and energy with reporters	Kate Sheppard	28 Jul 2008	Gristmill
'Getting a cap-and-trade program enacted is going to be a heavy lift,' Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) told a group of reporters over breakfast this morning. Bingaman, chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, spoke today about the challenges and opportunities in both climate and energy legislation, stressing that while he doesn't 'despair of it,' addressing those concerns will be a 'substantial challenge for the next president' and Congress. Bi ...
Topics: climate, Congress, energy, Muckraker, news, politics, US Senate (all these topics)

The Hunter is a lonely heart Former GOP prez candidate left up the creek without a wildebeest	Kate Sheppard	25 Jul 2008	Gristmill
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), one-time contender for the Republican presidential nomination, had the best of intentions for a trip to Africa. Having heard that there are 230,000 hungry refugees from Darfur currently residing in Chad, Hunter's staffers called the country's embassy and proposed that their boss come hunt wildebeest and distribute the meat to refugees. Photo: Chris Eason Problem? There aren't any wildebeest in Chad. And even if there w ...
Topics: Congress, Muckraker, national parks, news, politics, wildlife (all these topics)

Never let your enemy choose the battlefied The crucial mistake Dems made in the energy fight	David Roberts	25 Jul 2008	Gristmill
Following up on this -- I think the Democrats have made a specific and costly error. Consider the following Republican argument: Americans are hurting from high gasoline prices; politicians must act. Therefore, it's the responsibility of Congress to lower gasoline prices. Therefore, we must open up new areas to oil drilling. Democrats have accepted No. 2, but they're trying to fight off No. 3. They're arguing that we can bring down gas prices by drilling ...
Topics: Congress, energy, gas prices, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

What about Bob? Sen. Robert Menendez chats with Grist about climate legislation	Kate Sheppard	25 Jul 2008	Gristmill
Sen. Robert Menendez. In the Senate debate over the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act last month, Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) stood out as one of the most vocal advocates for making polluters pay to emit greenhouse gases rather than giving them free carbon credits. He also spoke up about the need to spend more on clean technology and help developing countries adapt to climate shifts. Menendez floated a handful of proposed amendments to the climate le ...
Topics: climate, Congress, energy, interview, legislation, Muckraker, politics, US Senate (all these topics)

You got to know when to hold 'em Republicans are bluffing on drilling	David Roberts	24 Jul 2008	Gristmill
Republicans have mastered a political technique that seems to work on Democrats every time: the projection of strength. No matter the issue, when it comes up for dispute Republicans claim that Americans support their position; they claim that Democrats are out of touch with ordinary folk; they claim that Democrats are on defensive; they put forward bill after bill, press release after press release, stunt after stunt, trumpeting their alleged advantage. Faced with thi ...
Topics: Congress, gas prices, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

'All of the above' GOP leaders unveil new energy bill that calls for some of everything and lots of drilling	Kate Sheppard	23 Jul 2008	Gristmill
Enviros rally against House Republicans' new energy bill and drilling plans. Photos: Kate Sheppard House Republicans hosted a press conference on the west steps of the Capitol Building today to tout their new energy legislation, the 'American Energy Act' [PDF]. But the 50 caucus members at the gathering were outnumbered by at least 100 protesters, who booed loudly at their calls to open up protected areas for more oil and gas drilling. As storm clou ...
Topics: Arctic Refuge, Congress, Muckraker, Nancy Pelosi, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics, US House of Representatives (all these topics)

Office of Management and Censorship Committee hears testimony from whistleblower on EPA dealings	Kate Sheppard	22 Jul 2008	Gristmill
Jason Burnett, the former associate deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency who resigned last month over the Bush administration's unwillingness to address greenhouse-gas emissions, provided more details to a Senate panel Tuesday about how top White House officials worked to quash new regulations on greenhouse gases. Appearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Burnett shared with senators some of the behind-the-scenes ne ...
Topics: Congress, Muckraker, news, politics, regulation, US EPA, US Senate (all these topics)

Speaker for yourself Grist talks to Speaker Nancy Pelosi about climate and energy politics on the Hill	Kate Sheppard	21 Jul 2008	Gristmill
For House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), any action on climate change hinges on Barack Obama winning the White House this fall. Only the bully-pulpit of the presidency can hope to overcome the deep pockets of the 'agents of the status quo,' Pelosi said Saturday in a conversation with Grist. Pelosi came to the Netroots gathering for an 'Ask the Speaker' session, where attendees got a chance to pick her brain about what's going on in Congress. It was during this eve ...
Topics: climate, Congress, Muckraker, Nancy Pelosi, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, video (all these topics)

How do you spell relief? Bipartisan group of House members rolls out bill for gas-price relief	Kate Sheppard	17 Jul 2008	Gristmill
A bipartisan group of six House members introduced a bill on Wed. to help reduce the gas-price pressure on Americans by investing in transit alternatives and smarter city planning. 'The Transportation and Housing Options for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008' (H.R. 6495) was introduced by Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and is cosponsored by Chris Shays (R-Conn.), Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Jerry McNerney (D-Calif), and Hilda Solis (D-Calif.). The bi ...
Topics: Congress, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, public transportation, US House of Representatives (all these topics)

Reid between the lines Senate Dems under pressure to lift ban on offshore drilling	Kate Sheppard	17 Jul 2008	Gristmill
Democrats in Congress are under increasing pressure to lift the ban on offshore oil drilling, The Wall Street Journal reported this week ($ub. req'd). Last week, some Democrats signaled that they would be willing to endorse offshore drilling. And on Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he might allow voting on offshore drilling. 'We're happy to take a look at a number of different approaches,' said Reid. 'If we get on to the speculation bill, we' ...
Topics: Congress, Muckraker, news, offshore drilling, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics, US Senate (all these topics)

Fighting the full court press Cost-benefit analysis can help environmentalists battle offshore drilling	Guest author	15 Jul 2008	Gristmill
The following is a guest post from Richard L. Revesz, dean of New York University School of Law, and Michael A. Livermore, executive director of the Institute for the Study of Regulation at New York University School of Law. They are co-authors of Retaking Rationality: How Cost-Benefit Analysis Can Better Protect the Environment and Our Health, published in May 2008 by Oxford University Press. ----- In the last few weeks, two major barriers to renewed off ...
Topics: Congress, energy, offshore drilling, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics, regulation (all these topics)

Hill heap A weekly roundup of greenish news from the capitol	Kate Sheppard	13 Jul 2008	Gristmill
According to a new EPA analysis, the 'value of a statistical life' is now worth $6.9 million, which is nearly $1 million less than it was five years ago. This is important politically because when government agencies create regulations about things like air pollution, they use this statistical value to weigh the costs against the benefits of a proposed rule. Explains the AP, 'Consider, for example, a hypothetical regulation that costs $18 billion to enforce but will p ...
Topics: climate, Congress, energy, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics)

Dems: The breaks Some Democrats in Congress bending on drilling debate	Kate Sheppard	11 Jul 2008	Gristmill
Some Senate Democrats are warming to the idea of opening some offshore areas in U.S. waters to oil and gas drilling, as we reported earlier this week. A few more may now be joining the ranks. Republicans in Congress have hyped the need to drill, and representatives are under pressure from constituents to do something about gas prices. Bending on drilling at least politically creates the appearance of doing something, despite the fact that opening offshore areas to ...
Topics: Congress, Muckraker, news, offshore drilling, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics)

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