Environment
The Democratic Party believes that it is our responsibility to protect America's extraordinary natural resources. The health of our families and the strength of our economy depend on our stewardship of the environment.
We reject the false choice between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. Farming, fishing, tourism, and other industries require a healthy environment. New technologies that protect the environment will create new high-paying jobs. A cleaner environment means a stronger economy.
Far too many Americans live with unhealthy air or water quality. Democrats will fight to strengthen the laws that ensure we have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. And Democrats will make sure these laws are enforced.
Democrats know that a sensible energy policy is key to a strong economy, our national security, and a clean environment. Democrats are committed to the next generation of affordable and renewable energy for the 21st century and to conservation measures that will immediately reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Today, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement recognizing the 38th annual Earth Day:
Today Bush is planning to announce a "realistic intermediate goal" for limiting emissions from greenhouse gases in the United States. According to the White House, they will "press for incentives for technology."
I previewed this yesterday -- today the House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming "will bring top-level executives from the five largest oil companies to discuss the current state of oil and gas prices, oil company profits, and the need for clean, renewable fuels to ease demand for oil and cut global warming pollution."
The price of a gallon of gasoline increased to yet another "new high" of $3.29 -- that's 3.1 cents more in one week. Just looking not-so-far back, on January 17, 2005, when Bush began his second term, the average price was $1.84 a gallon.
The EPA won't provide documents about the decision to reject California's attempt to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gasses. So Chairman Waxman has now issued a subpoena for "unredacted copies of documents that have been improperly withheld from the Committee," given that a "desire to conceal embarrassing facts" is not a valid legal basis.
Oil hits $105 a barrel.
First time ever.
Rep. Waxman, Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committed, just issued a subpoena for a "key presentation [...] by EPA staff about California's regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles."
"After eight years of failed Republican leadership, Americans are ready for change, not the third Bush term we'd get with any of the Republican presidential candidates," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "President Bush's final State of the Union must be just that. America literally cannot afford another State of the Union address by a Republican who may have a new name, but most certainly will support the same policies that have kept us in a never ending war in Iraq and gave us an economy that's not working for all Americans."
The EPA failed to meet their deadlines for handing over documents related to their rejection of California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi will deliver the Democratic Radio Address tomorrow. In her address she will discuss historic energy legislation that will set the nation on a path to energy independence and reduce the cost of home heating oil and the price at the pump.
"Tonight on CBS Evening News, each of the 10 leading presidential candidates will be asked, “Do you think the risks of climate change are at all overblown?"
"Democrats turned back repeated efforts by Republican senators to soften the economic impact of a global warming bill before advancing it out of a Senate committee on Wednesday."
White House press secretary Dana Perino says that lives will be saved if the planet gets hotter. But research shows that's just silly.
Today the NY Times reports that the issue of global warming is dividing the Republican presidential candidates.
Vice President Al Gore was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this morning.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement congratulating former Vice President Al Gore for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize today for his work concerning global warming:
Really? The Everglades?
Not that it was necessary to make the point that we need to fight global warming, but last month was the second-hottest August on record. This is according to the National Climatic Data Center, a government resource and "the world's largest active archive of weather data."
Scientists are alarmed that over 69,000 square miles of Arctic sea ice, roughly the size of Florida, melted away in just six days last week.
It's one of the many issues uniting progressives and the faith community. Today Pope Benedict XVI made his second appeal on environmental issues in four days before an audience of about 16,000.
As an environmentalist with an obvious interest in utilizing the Internet for progressive change, I couldn't turn down the chance to write about this:
Republican Senator Ted Stevens just got back from the lab after spending the August recess collecting and observing data. And wouldn't you know it, he's got some amazing results: the Earth is about to start getting cooler!
Climate Progress, noting that the "weather is getting more extreme thanks to human-caused climate change," directs our attention to a report by the World Meteorological Organization.
Democrats passed legislation that will increase the use of renewable resources like wind and solar, create jobs, invest in biofuels--and pay for it by repealing $16 billion in tax breaks for oil and gas companies.
Today, the Democratic National Committee announced that Chairman Howard Dean will sign the “Live Earth Pledge,” created by former Vice President Al Gore, to show his commitment to fighting global warming. Dean said:
In a victory for the American people, the Senate passed important legislation increasing fuel efficiency, creating laws against price gouging, and boosting the use of renewable fuels.
As President Bush offers Americans more of the same failed special interest energy agenda today at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Alabama, a facility shut down just weeks ago due to safety concerns, Democrats in Congress are working to enact smart energy reforms to make our country safer, more secure and energy independent.
Once again Senate Republicans have put the special interests before the people they are supposed to represent, blocking a measure to provide tax breaks for renewable energy.
Is the Republican Party falling in love with being in the minority? How else do you explain why they would filibuster an energy bill that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil by focusing on energy conservation and renewable fuels.
Energy independence is something that both sides talk about, but it's an issue where the old Republican Congress simply failed to lead. Now the Democratic Congress is taking up the issue, offering bold ideas to reduce our nation's dependence on oil by significantly reducing our oil consumption.
The leaders of the eight largest industrial nations met in Germany this week at the G-8 Summit to address global warming--but President Bush forced them to accept an emissions agreement that was far weaker than they originally intended.
Congressman Ed Markey (MA-7), Chair of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, will deliver the Democratic Radio Address tomorrow. In his address, Chairman Markey will discuss global warming and the recent Congressional delegation to Greenland and Europe to see firsthand its adverse impact on our planet.
Continuing a long-standing administration policy of looking the other way while our environment pays the price, President Bush's environmental advisor flat-out rejected the European Union's "two-degree" target to reduce carbon emissions and prevent a global temperatures from increasing no more than 2 degrees.
Sky-high gas prices are putting the squeeze on working families this Memorial Day weekend, when about 32.1 million travelers will be riding by motor vehicle.
Rudy Giuliani is raising money hand-over-fist in Texas--partly as a result of his Houston law firm, Bracewell & Giuliani, one of the most high-profile lobbyists for the oil, gas and energy industries. From the New York Times: The firm is...
Despite Rudy Giuliani's desperate attempts to distance himself from his ties to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez yesterday, the truth is the Giuliani that Americans do not yet know is beholden to energy special interests. Not only has Giuliani profited from Chavez controlled Citgo Petroleum Company, but he also has showed incompetence when dealing with air quality standards following 9/11.
Rudy Giuliani yesterday called Hugo Chavez, leader of oil-rich Venezuela, a dangerous foe of the United States--even though Giuliani's law firm lobbies for the U.S. branch of an oil company controlled by Chavez.
This piece of news straight from Reuters:
Newt Gingrich, referring to the global warming debate, used to talk about a "politically driven mass hysteria of scientists." He questioned whether global warming existed, and seemed to suggest it was just as likely Europe would experience an ice age.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement in celebration of Earth Day this Sunday:
With the Senate recently completing their 100th work day, it's worth taking a look at all they have already done to improve the lives of Americans. Unlike the do-nothing Republican Congress they replaced, Democrats have already pursued a positive agenda and gotten things done on ethics reform, minimum wage, energy independence, eduction, health care, homeland security, veterans, and Iraq.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling to the federal government on Monday to take a new look at regulating carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles.
Today, President Bush traveled to Kansas and Missouri to sell his rehashed policies in an effort to save his failed legacy on energy. In his State of the Union address in January, President Bush once again proposed to cut gasoline usage and impose requirements and set goals for renewable and alternative energy. But, this recent rhetoric is only an attempt to cover-up a long record of Republican opposition to renewable energy programs and efforts to gut programs aimed at reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.
A story from the religion news service highlights the National Association of Evangelicals' continued affirmation of environmental work and a new document in opposition to torture.
John McCain's commitment to the issue of global warming may be the latest casualty of his do-anything-to-win approach to the Republican presidential primary.
Democrats undertake an initiative to "green" the Capitol. In a letter House Leaders write, "The House of Representatives should provide leadership to the nation in providing an environmentally responsible and healthy working environment for our employees...The Capitol complex should lead the nation in preserving our planet for future generations."
For our Vice President... con·sen·sus [kuhn-sen-suhs] –noun, plural -sus·es 1. majority of opinion: The consensus of the group was that they should meet twice a month. 2. general agreement or concord; harmony. So, even though you "aren't a scientist", you...
The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Resolutions Committee at its meeting on February 1, 2007, in conjunction with the meetings of the Democratic National Committee, February 1-3, 2007. Submitted by: Gov. Howard Dean, DNC Chair/Vermont Debbie Dingell, Michigan...
While President Bush has been on a post-State of the Union PR campaign to promote his recycled rhetoric on energy independence, the fact remains that over the last six years President Bush has done nothing to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. Today, he will visit with members of Securing America's Energy Future (SAFE), a group whose aim is to "reduce America's dependence on oil." This latest photo-op on energy independence ignores the fact that SAFE has called for immediate action for some time, noting that "The time for action arrived long ago," and that "We must not waste another moment."
Thanks, Mr. President... The Democratic chairman of a House panel examining the government's response to climate change said Tuesday there is evidence that senior Bush administration officials sought repeatedly "to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of...
Today, President Bush traveled to Wilmington, Delaware to sell his rehashed energy policies. In his State of the Union address last night, President Bush once again proposed to cut gasoline usage and impose requirements for renewable and alternative energy fuels. This recycled rhetoric follows years of opposition by Republicans to renewable energy programs and continued efforts to gut programs aimed at reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement in response to President Bush's State of the Union address this evening
The ability of the Democrats to win over significant numbers of Republicans on most votes signals the slim but enticing possibility of Democratic mastery over a demoralized Republican Party. If the new bipartisanship takes root, the prospects for health care legislation and immigration reform sharply improve.
The last item on the 100 Hours Agenda? Rolling back multi-million dollar subsidies the GOP-controlled Congress awarded to Big Oil and investing in energy independence. From the LA Times: When oil company executives came before the Republican-controlled Congress in 2005...
Another benefit of our new majorities? Getting to say a loud "NO!" to extreme right-wing conservative nominees, the kind that the administration has happily foisted upon the American people for the past 6 years.
But that doesn't seem to bother Bush and Co.: The Bush administration is considering doing away with health standards that cut lead from gasoline, widely regarded as one of the nation's biggest clean-air accomplishments. Battery makers, lead smelters, refiners all...
Union Leader: [Democrats are] championing a consensus legislative agenda geared toward helping families that have been left behind by the GOP. They're standing up for America's shrinking middle class. Pelosi has pledged to spend her first 100 hours on key bread-and-butter economic issues long neglected under Republican rule.
This is a leader who understands her mandate.
Senator Boxer prepares to take over the Environment Committee: "Any kind of weakening of environmental laws or secrecy or changes in the dead of night — it's over," Boxer said. "We're going to for once, finally, make this committee an environment committee, not an anti-environment committee. ... This is a sea change that is coming to this committee."...
Good news for those who value safety standards, human rights, and a clean environment. Key labor and environmental standards will again be inserted into applicable treaties. The WaPost explains: As Democrats prepare to take control of Congress, incoming leaders are...
Today, ExxonMobil announced that “its third-quarter earnings rose to $10.49 billion, the second-largest quarterly profit ever recorded by a publicly traded U.S. company.” Royal Dutch Shell also “beat all forecasts with a 21 percent rise in underlying third-quarter profit.” These earnings reports come “as high crude prices this year have fueled record profits in the oil industry” which has triggered “an outcry from consumers who were being asked to pay about $3 a gallon for gasoline in early August.”
Democrats have been on the forefront in pushing for energy independence. In Idaho, Americans want clean and safe energy.Wind and other renewable sources meet what appears to be a growing desire among Idahoans for green energy. A public outcry over...
Despite the White House's lofty rhetoric when it comes to renewable energy the fact is that America's dependence on foreign energy has increased under Bush's watch. The Bush Administration allowed their friends in the energy industry to write our nation's energy policy. Since then, America's working families have struggled to keep up with escalating gas prices.
Jerry Brady, candidate for Idaho governor, releases his newest ad today. You can watch it, here. The ad echos the sentiment thousands of Idahoans: Idaho is not for sale. As one local blogger writes: If you could boil it down...
Today, President Bush will be peddling his failed energy policies during a visit to Alabama. Upon entering office, the Bush Administration put their friends in the energy industry in charge of writing the nation’s energy policy. As a result, the past five years have led to increased energy costs for America’s working families and made America more dependent on foreign oil.
In New York's 19th Congressional District John Joseph Hall is set to take on his Republican opponent this fall as he handily won his primary contest last night. Thirty years ago — long before he set his sights on a...
The Bush Administration received a staggering blow from the federal court of appeals in Chicago when it forced the administration, power companies, and other industrial polluters to obey the Clean Air Act. The court upheld an extremely important provision that...
One year ago, President Bush signed the Republican energy bill, giving $8 billion in tax breaks to energy companies. Since then, the American people continue to struggle just to fill up their gas tanks, as gas prices are up 65 percent. Energy companies, who have given generously to the Bush White House and Republicans in Congress, have realized record earnings.
New York Times' Columnist Bob Herbert writes today that it's "time to aggressively counter the dangerous nonsense" of those who dispute the threat posed by Global Warming. Examples: Senator Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Chair of the Senate Committee on the Environment: “[M]an-made...
Aside from the unbearably high temperatures, global warming can also cause the power to go out. Days of heat and humidity have driven demand for electricity to record highs in California and other states. If people cannot take the weather...
Today, the Vice President spoke at a closed door, special interest fundraiser for Congressional candidates before heading to a photo-op with members of the Michigan National Guard. With such unusual Republican attention directed at the state, I have to ask:...
Reuters notes that Congress is back this week. U.S. lawmakers returning from a weeklong break on Monday will take up a long list of unfinished -- and possibly insurmountable -- tasks that could help decide whether voters will re-elect them...
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on our nation's energy independence.
Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney issued the following statement on the RNC's latest misleading web advertisement
Five years after Vice President Cheney issued an energy plan written by and for his friends in the energy industry and after five years of failed leadership on reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil, the Bush Administration has again failed the American people.
This week, Senator Maria Cantwell from the state of Washington delivered the Democratic Radio Address.
On a day when Shell Oil Company announced profits of more than $6 billion, Americans continue to be gouged at the pump while Republican leaders in Washington offer no solutions, only tax breaks for their industry friends.
Republicans in Washington have again put special interests ahead of the concerns of the American people. With 74 percent of Americans disapproving of the President's handling of the gas crisis, and even more thinking that the White House has not developed a good plan to get gas prices under control, Republicans in the Senate rolled out a small, inadequate plan.
This week, Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan delivered the Democratic Radio Address. To listen to the audio, click here. Good morning. This is Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan. These days, every morning, Americans are paying more and more simply to...
Mouse over each state and look below the map to see how much gas prices have increased in the past year. You will see the actual dollar amount and percent increase as well as the increased costs for one- and...
Since he first ran for President in 2000, President Bush has offered a number of different explanations for what he can and cannot do to help the millions of hard-working Americans deal with out-of-control gas prices.
When people talk about the Republican culture of corruption and the buying and selling of our democracy, a lot of times you think it's just preferential treatment or special access or inflated importance that they buy. With folks scratching their...
President Bush's speech on energy policy and skyrocketing gas prices yesterday is already drawing criticism and scrutiny from editorial boards and political writers across the country.
With his poll numbers in the low 30’s and American struggling under the weight of record-high gas prices, President Bush has finally embraced sound Democratic proposals he once rejected.
Last week, President Bush declared that he was decisive, that he was, in fact, the “Decider-in-Chief.” Yet, on issue after issue, he has ignored or pushed off big decisions or argued that there was nothing he could do.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean
issued the following statement recognizing the 36th annual Earth Day
celebration.
It's tough turning on the television and watching the president pretend his priorities include reducing the price at the pump for average Americans. It should be completely obvious to people at this point how the energy racket works in D.C....
This week, Senator Bill Nelson from Florida delivered the Democratic Radio Address. To listen to the audio, click here. Hi, I'm Bill Nelson, Senator from Florida. I know that many of you are anxious right now - with $3 gasoline...
Democratic leaders across the country joined House and Senate Democrats in unveiling a comprehensive plan for providing the American people with real security. The agenda stands in stark contrast to the dangerous incompetence of the Republican leadership.
The Bush Administration's bungling of a deal to allow a foreign government-owned firm to run some of our nation's largest seaports has put the spotlight on the White House's continuing efforts to put the priorities of corporate special interests above the concerns of the American people.
On the heels of a Chicago Tribune report today detailing the sharp cuts in energy conservation programs in President Bush's budget, Treasury Secretary John Snow is in Memphis today to sell the President's hollow energy proposals.
This week, President Bush and members of his Cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
This week, President Bush and members of his Cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. As part of that...
This week, President Bush and members of his cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.
This week, President Bush and members of his Cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.
This week, President Bush and members of his Cabinet are touring the country, trying to convince the American people that the Bush Administration is finally joining Democrats in working to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.
Today, as President Bush toured the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, he had a difficult balancing act between his empty rhetoric and the realities of his failed energy policy.
On the eve of a presidential visit to a renewable energy lab in Colorado, the Department of Energy said it has transferred $5 million to the operation, which had funding cut and employees laid off this month due to budget shortfalls.
I wonder what else the president didn't "mean literally" during the State of the Union Address. The Philadelphia Inquirer: What the President said in his State in the Union speech is not quite what he meant, two aides said. WASHINGTON...
Apparently, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens doesn’t believe
in Santa’s rule about the naughty kids not getting Christmas gifts.
