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Oregon trail
Grist talks to Oregon Democratic Senate candidate Jeff Merkley |
Kate Sheppard |
22 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Oregon Senate candidate Jeff Merkley was in Austin for Netroots Nation, where he appeared on a panel about energy issues. Merkley is attempting to unseat Gordon Smith, the sole GOP senator on the West Coast, this November, and he's put climate and environment issues at the top of his campaign agenda. His plans include calling for a 25 percent renewable energy national standard by 2025, cutting emissions 80 percent by mid-century, and creating incentives for cities ... |
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| Topics: energy, Oregon, elections, politics, news, Muckraker (all these topics) |
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This Too Shale Pass
Bush admin proposes rules for domestic oil-shale development |
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22 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 7:35 AM on 22 Jul 2008 The Bush administration today will propose rules for tapping the U.S.'s vast oil-shale deposits, estimated to hold up to 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil. Oil shale development is enormously expensive and spectacularly polluting, but the U.S. Department of the Interior is expected to frame the debate in terms of high fuel prices and domestic "energy security." Presid ... |
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| Topics: Department of Interior, energy, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, United States (all these topics) |
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A League of His Own
League of Conservation Voters endorses Obama for president |
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21 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 7:28 AM on 21 Jul 2008 The League of Conservation Voters announced today that they're endorsing Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, citing the freshman senator's policies on climate change and clean energy. "When you look specifically at the twin challenges of cutting global warming pollution and moving toward a clean energy future, on those issues Barack Obama has the most comprehensive plan ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, energy, League of Conservation Voters, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Seeking New Shores
House Dems fail attempt to make Big Oil drill on the land it's got |
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18 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:15 AM on 18 Jul 2008 A bill that would have required oil companies to drill on leased land they already hold before seeking new conquests failed in the House of Representatives Thursday. The legislation's "use it or lose it" provision would have required that oil companies exhaust oil exploration on already-leased land before acquiring new acreage. The legislation also would have required ... |
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| Topics: energy, legislation, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
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The Gore-y Details
Al Gore details plan for exclusively carbon-free electricity in U.S. by 2018 |
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17 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 8:34 AM on 17 Jul 2008 In a speech in Washington, D.C., today, climate activist Al Gore called for the United States to move toward using electricity that comes exclusively from carbon-free sources within 10 years in order to stave off catastrophic climate change. "I ask you to join with me to call on every candidate, at every level, to accept this challenge," he said. "It's ... |
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| Topics: Al Gore, climate, energy, news, politics, United States (all these topics) |
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Drill Bill, Vol. 1
2.6 million acres opened to drilling in Alaska, Dems introduce Drill Act to spur production |
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17 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 7:02 AM on 17 Jul 2008 The U.S. Interior Department announced it's opening up some 2.6 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) to exploratory drilling. A decision on drilling in the sensitive Teshekpuk Lake area of the reserve has been deferred for 10 years, delighting many environmentalists who have advocated for its permanent protection. Bidding on ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, energy, gas prices, legislation, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, United States (all these topics) |
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Dear John (and Barack) Letter
Ex-policymakers urge current politicians to get off their asses |
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16 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 12:19 PM on 16 Jul 2008 In order to avert "a long-term energy crisis," writes a bipartisan group of former political up-and-ups in a letter to U.S. politicians, we must "reexamine outdated and entrenched positions" on energy. The letter, sent to Barack Obama, John McCain, every member of Congress, and all 50 governors, declares that "we must rise above partisan differe ... |
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| Topics: energy, news, politics (all these topics) |
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Czar Schwarzenegger?
California governor says he'd be willing to serve in Obama's cabinet |
Kate Sheppard |
14 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| On ABC's 'This Week' yesterday, California's Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a McCain supporter, suggested that he'd be willing to serve as 'energy czar' for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Host George Stephanopoulos asked the governor about a report that he attributed to Newsweek that said Obama would consider Schwarzenegger for a cabinet post, possibly one dealing with energy and environmental issues. Here's the exchange: Stephanopoulos: ... |
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| Topics: Arnold Schwarzenegger, climate, energy, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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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 ... |
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| Topics: climate, Congress, energy, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Barack in the Buckeye State
Dem presidential candidate talks up energy plan in Ohio |
Kate Sheppard |
13 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Barack Obama gave a speech on energy policy in Dayton, Ohio on Friday, and used the opportunity to rip on rival John McCain. He knocked the candidate's calls for offshore drilling and a 'gas-tax holiday,' and accused him of being part of the problem in Washington. 'A few days ago, Senator McCain said our dangerous dependence on foreign oil has been 30 years in the making, and was caused by the failure of politicians in Washington to think long-term about the futur ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, elections, energy, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Slowly But Offshorely, the Drills are Gonna Turn
Top Dems in Congress open to possible compromise deal on offshore drilling |
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09 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 7:43 AM on 09 Jul 2008 Some key Democrats in Congress have said they're willing to work out a compromise deal to open some offshore areas in U.S. waters to oil and gas drilling. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said he's "open to drilling and responsible production." He also said that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid might also sup ... |
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| Topics: energy, gas prices, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, United States (all these topics) |
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We Said What We Parliament
E.U. committee vote signals backstep from biofuels |
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08 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 5:11 PM on 08 Jul 2008 The European Union took another step back from biofuels late Monday, as the Parliament's environment committee approved 36-0 a proposal to lower the E.U.'s original target for biofueled transportation. The committee's proposal would have the E.U. source just 4 percent of transportation fuels from biomass by 2015, then do a major review before jumping to the current target of 10 percent ... |
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| Topics: biofuels, energy, European Union, international politics, legislation, news, politics (all these topics) |
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Energy ad wars begin
New Obama ad knocks McCain's energy policy |
Kate Sheppard |
08 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Barack Obama's campaign has released a new ad to counter those from the Republican National Committee criticizing his energy plan. Obama's ad, called 'New Energy,' accuses opponent John McCain of being 'part of the problem' and hits on his support of drilling and tax breaks for oil companies. The ad says that energy independence is an 'urgent priority' for the Democratic candidate, and notes his plans to invest in alternative energy and tax cuts for the middle class ... |
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| Topics: advertising, Barack Obama, energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08, video (all these topics) |
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Ad lib
RNC drops $3 million to promote McCain's energy plan |
Kate Sheppard |
07 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Over the weekend, the Republican National Committee launched their 10-day, $3 million campaign to tout John McCain's energy policy with this ad: 'Record gas prices, a climate in crisis. John McCain says solve it now,' says the ad. 'With a balanced plan -- alternative energy, conservation, suspending the gas tax and more production here at home. He's pushing his own party to face climate change.' It goes on to hit Barack Obama for not supporting McCain's 'gas- ... |
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| Topics: elections, energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08, video (all these topics) |
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When Ads Attack!
Presidential campaign ads go on attack over energy issues |
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07 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 8:00 AM on 07 Jul 2008 The first major ad buy this year from a major party aired over the weekend, a TV spot courtesy of the Republican National Committee attacking Democratic candidate Barack Obama for a lack of creativity on the energy scene. While John McCain is "pushing his own party to face climate change," the ad says that Obama isn't pushing the boundaries like his rival. The ad points out that ... |
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| Topics: elections, energy, John McCain, news, politics, presidential campaign 08 (all these topics) |
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The drill of the chase
RNC to drop $3 million on ads hitting Obama on energy |
Kate Sheppard |
03 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Roll Call reports ($ub. req'd): The Republican National Committee is launching $3 million in independent expenditure television ads in four states, focusing on the energy issue. The ad is slated to run on network and cable television in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and will highlight the differences between Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) on energy security. 'Following Barack Obama's decision to become the only major party ... |
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| Topics: Barack Obama, elections, energy, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Sweetening the deal
Lugar calls for end to tariff on Brazilian sugarcane ethanol |
Kate Sheppard |
03 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) stopped by ($ub. req'd) the American Enterprise Institute yesterday to give a speech arguing that Congress should lift the 54-cents-a-gallon tariff on imported ethanol. 'To demonstrate leadership the United States should lift its tariff on Brazilian ethanol that now shelters the U.S. industry,' Lugar told the AEI crowd. Many politicians -- including Lugar, who's from a big corn state -- have supported the tariff to protect American biofuel ... |
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| Topics: biofuels, energy, ethanol, Muckraker, news, politics (all these topics) |
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A fuel's errand
Republican House members ask EPA to scale back ethanol mandate |
Kate Sheppard |
02 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| More than 50 Republican representatives sent a letter [PDF] to the Environmental Protection Agency last week urging the agency to lower the mandate for ethanol production in response to both the recent flooding in the Midwest and drought in the South. They argue that one-third of the country's corn crop will be used for ethanol to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard, and while the weather this year will cause a decrease in supply of corn, the RFS will increase demand ... |
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| Topics: biofuels, Congress, energy, ethanol, Muckraker, news, politics, regulation, severe weather, US EPA (all these topics) |
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'Often contradictory stances'
Mainstream media realizes that McCain's energy rhetoric and record don't match up |
Kate Sheppard |
01 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The mainstream media has started to pick up on the fact that John McCain's energy policy is totally inconsistent. Bloomberg: As a senator, John McCain has condemned policies that pick market winners and losers, aiming particular criticism at government ethanol subsidies as a taxpayer rip-off. As a presidential candidate, the Arizona Republican himself is backing specific industries in proposals for relief from high energy prices and foreign oil dependence. ... |
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| Topics: elections, energy, John McCain, mainstream media, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Big, bad John
Texas Sen. John Cornyn hearts drilling and a good brew |
Kate Sheppard |
01 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Okay, so this campaign ad for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has nothing to do with the environment, but it needs to be posted: Cornyn's latest ads focus on his energy plan, which includes offshore drilling and opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for exploration and drilling. He also says he supports 'viable alternative sources,' which in his book includes nuclear and coal. This is the same senator who during the debate over the Lieberman-Warner Climate ... |
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| Topics: elections, energy, Muckraker, news, oil, politics, US senate (all these topics) |
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Don't take it for Granite
N.H.'s Shaheen puts energy issues at center of her campaign for Senate |
Kate Sheppard |
30 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| In New Hampshire, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) is challenging incumbent John Sununu (R) for his U.S. Senate seat, and she's making energy concerns a centerpiece of her campaign. Here's her most recent ad, targeting the 'Enron loophole': Previous Shaheen ads have called for tougher regulation of the oil industry and increased investment in renewable energy. |
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| Topics: video, elections, US Senate, energy, politics, news, Muckraker (all these topics) |
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Hill heap
A weekly roundup of greenish news from the Capitol |
Kate Sheppard |
27 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Some political news debris from this week: The League of Conservation Voters announced today that they've created the first green bundling site. This allows folks to donate en masse to green candidates around the country. LCV will direct the funds to the candidates it will support this year in Senate and House races. Just off his big Everglades restoration deal, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist hosted a conference on climate change. Crist's friend and Californi ... |
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| Topics: climate, Congress, energy, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
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Reps. for renewables
New bill to support renewables offered in House |
Kate Sheppard |
27 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), and Mike Honda (D-Calif.) introduced legislation [PDF] yesterday to provide security for investments in the renewable-energy sector by guaranteeing rates for renewable-energy generation. The Renewable Energy Jobs and Security Act would provide guaranteed renewable-energy payments to small and mid-sized clean-energy suppliers (up to 20 megawatts). It would provide security for investment ... |
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| Topics: Congress, economy, energy, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, renewable energy (all these topics) |
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The gas legislation we pass
House approves two measures to address energy prices, third fails |
Kate Sheppard |
26 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The House of Representatives took up a triumvirate of environment and energy-related bills today, passing two that would increase funding for mass transit and curb oil market speculation. A third, more controversial measure would have forced oil companies to drill on the land they already own. The votes highlighted the split between Democrats and Republicans on energy policy. Legislators have been battling for weeks over how to deal with record gasoline prices, wi ... |
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| Topics: Ed Markey, energy, legislation, Muckraker, news, oil, politics, public transportation (all these topics) |
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Pathetic Justice
Supreme Court slashes Exxon's punitive damages for Valdez oil spill |
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25 Jun 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:37 AM on 25 Jun 2008 ExxonMobil is off the hook for billions in punitive damages related to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. In 1994, the oil giant was ordered to pay $5 billion in punitive damages. In 2006, that amount was cut to $2.5 billion. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court slashed the amount once again, to $507.5 million. By a 5-3 vote (Exxon stockholder Samuel Alito sat out), the court reasoned ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, Big Oil, energy, insanity, litigation, news, oil, politics (all these topics) |
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