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Congressional Watch, January 2010 Edition

PERSPECTIVES ON THE COPEHNHAGEN CLIMATE CHANGE TALKS

UM climate scientist and Nobel prize winner Steve Running expressed his extreme disappointment at the lack of leadership in Copenhagen, and in the subsequent decision by the Montana Land Board to lease the Otter Creek coal tracts in Eastern Montana. 

Speaking of which…

The Montana Land Board vote on the Otter Creek coal leases and climate change – another great disconnect

Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau is the only one of the five State Land Board members who stood against the leasing of the Otter Creek coal tracts in Eastern Montana.  Juneau, in her comments at the meeting on December 21, noted the higher value in preserving the land for future use than in developing the coal mine, the need to sustain Montana's lands for future beneficial use, and the value in keeping Montana ‘Montana.'

Read other positions on the lease proposal:

  • Comments of Bob Adams on behalf of Montana Conservation Voters against leasing
  • Letter from Eastern Montana landowners asking the State Land Board to deny the Otter Creek coal leases.
  • Letter from 14 Eastern Montana Republican legislators urging the State Land Board to lease the Otter Creek coal tracts.
  • Article about the letter from 22 Democratic legislators rebutting the statement in the Republican letter (above) which expressed doubt on human caused climate change.  

 

ACTIONS AND OPINIONS


OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

BAUCUS: “…and we must do all we can to address climate change..”

Letter from Sen. Baucus to Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U. S. Forest Service pushing the Forest Service to address the pine beetle infestation in Montana, with segment quoted below:

“Montana is an outdoors state. We hunt, we fish, we take our children hiking and camping.  The pine beetle infestation in the Northern Rockies is a threat to our way of life and we must do all we can to address climate change, and we must act to reduce its effects, in order to ensure a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.”

 

CHINA REJECTS SEN. BAUCUS’ CALL FOR BORDER MEASURES

China rejects Sen. Baucus call for border measures to protect US manufacturers from unfair competition as part of climate change legislation.

China denounces carbon tariff idea ahead of Copenhagen (Reuters, Dec. 4, 2009)

 

MORE TO COME ON CLIMATE LEGISLATION

KERRY-LIEBERMAN-GRAHAM INTRODUCE ‘FRAMEWORK’ FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

On December 3, a bipartisan trio of senators, Sens. Kerry, Lieberman and Graham, introduced a ‘framework’ for climate change legislation that its supporters say could achieve 60 senate votes.  The framework’s inclusion of provisions ensuring nukes and coal along with carbon caps and reduced dependence on foreign oil are raising concerns among some conservationists. 

KERRY: Kerry, Lieberman, Graham Release Framework for Climate Change and Energy Independence Legislation

In Letter to President, Senators Provide Outline for Climate Action Ahead of Copenhagen

WASHINGTON, D.C. Dec. 10, 2009 – Today, Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) released their framework for comprehensive climate change and energy independence legislation.

Letter to President Obama and Framework

POLITICO: Sens. outline climate approach

By Meredith Shiner, Dec. 10, 2009

A bipartisan covey of senators Thursday outlined for President Barack Obama a framework for climate change legislation that they say could pass the Senate early next year.   In a letter to the president, who’s attending the Copenhagen climate conference at the end of next week, and at a Capitol news conference, Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) offered what Kerry called “a starting point for our work going forward."   More…

LCV: League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski released the following statement in response:

“The steadfast commitment of Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman to work across party lines provides continued momentum for the passage of comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. We look forward to working with the Senate to pass the strongest bill possible.”


CANTWELL CARBON BILL

Shortly thereafter, Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced Cantwell’s long-awaited cap and dividend bill.  The bill is being applauded for its simplicity and innovation, its introduction with Republican support, and the absence of complicated trading systems and offsets.  It is also being criticized by some conservationists, including cap and dividend supporters as well as supporters of an alternative dividend approach, for its lack of an aggressive, legally binding limit on carbon emissions and its favoring of coastal states.

CANTWELL: Cantwell, Collins Propose Carbon Auction: Bill Reduces Emissions, Returns Revenue to Consumers

Bipartisan climate bill uses simple system to reduce global warming pollution and spur clean-energy job growth

Friday, Dec. 11,2009

“WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation to reduce global warming pollution, spur job growth in clean energy technology, and return money directly to consumers. The Cantwell-Collins Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act would set up a mechanism for selling “carbon shares” to fuel producers and would return most of the resulting revenue in checks to every American. The legislation will achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 20 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050.  More…”

Sen. Cantwell has included links to the CLEAR legislation, background information, reports, testimony and press on her web site. 

THE HILL: Cantwell, Collins shake-up climate debate with alternative bill

By Ben Geman, Dec. 11, 2009

“Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are floating legislation Friday to curb nationwide greenhouse gas emissions that they’re billing as a simpler alternative to the “cap-and-trade” proposals before lawmakers.

The bill opens a major new front in the Senate climate debate. More…”

SIGHTLINE DAILY: Cantwell's Cap-and-Trade Bill: Almost Genius

By Alan Durning and Eric de Place,  12/11/2009

Cantwell's climate bill aims high but misses. Try again?

“To borrow Dave Eggers’ book title, the novel approach to cap and trade proposed by Senator Maria Cantwell is a heartbreaking work of staggering genius. Genius, because it is an innovative plan to create a best-case version of cap and trade. And heartbreaking, because by design and by omission it undermines the most important feature of cap and trade: a legally binding limit on carbon emissions.  It's true that Cantwell's CLEAR Act sets out ambitious reduction targets. Yet at present, it lacks detailed guidance for achieving them, especially in the near term.  Sightline Institute wants to love this bill – and, in fact, we are head-over-heels for the majority of it – but we believe that its small number of flaws are so serious that, at best, it’s a diamond in the rough.   More…”

This SIGHTLINE piece links at the end to another post by David Roberts of GRIST: 

http://www.grist.org/article/2009-12-12-what-to-make-of-the-cantwell-collins-clear-act/

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH: Statement on Introduction of CLEAR Act by Senators Cantwell and Collins

“Friends of the Earth thanks Senator Cantwell and Senator Collins for bringing a much-needed alternative approach to the debate over climate and energy solutions in Congress. The framework in the CLEAR Act would minimize opportunities for Wall Street traders to gamble on our climate future. This is a key improvement over the flawed and risky cap-and-trade system that polluters and big banks successfully lobbied for in the House bill.  While the approach in the CLEAR Act is a positive step forward, the bill still lacks the kind of ambitious limits on greenhouse gas emissions that the current science shows is needed and should be strengthened in order to bring carbon concentrations back below 350 parts per million. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Cantwell, Senator Collins and the rest of the Senate to craft effective climate legislation that will help us stave off the worst effects of climate change in a just and equitable fashion.  More…”

DAILY KOS, RL MILLER BLOG: Kerry-Lieberman-Graham vs Cantwell-Collins: GreenRoots

By RLMiller, Dec. 10, 2009

“Today, Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) held a press conference to announce their framework for a bipartisan climate bill.  Tomorrow, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) will unveil a competing proposal.  I view all climate bill proposals through the prism of effectiveness.  If it doesn't bring down carbon in the atmosphere, it's not worth enacting; but if it does its job well, I can tolerate some amount of pork in sausage-making.  And if it brings carbon down to zero but has no chance of passing, it's politically ineffective.  Keeping these principles in mind, here's my initial thoughts on the letter to President Obama (5 pg pdf) containing the Kerry-Graham-Lieberman framework and their press conference. More…”

 

EPA ENDANGERMENT FINDINGS

Meanwhile, EPA’s endangerment findings underscore the need for strong and comprehensive clean energy legislation.


EPA: Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act

On December 7, 2009, the EPA Administrator signed two distinct findings regarding greenhouse gases under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act:

Endangerment Finding: The Administrator finds that the current and projected concentrations of the six key well-mixed greenhouse gases--carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)--in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.

Cause or Contribute Finding: The Administrator finds that the combined emissions of these well-mixed greenhouse gases from new motor vehicles and new motor vehicle engines contribute to the greenhouse gas pollution which threatens public health and welfare.  More…


POLITICO: Lisa Jackson: 'The threat is real'

By Lisa Lerer and Eamon Javers, Dec. 7, 2009

COPENHAGEN — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson announced Monday that her agency has concluded that greenhouse gases pose a danger to human health and public welfare — opening the door to sweeping new pollution regulations that would cover a wide swath of industries.  “The threat is real,” Jackon said. “Climate change has now become a household issue.”  Monday’s ruling forces the EPA to begin mandating greenhouse gas emissions reductions from industrial polluters like power plants, factories, and auto makers. The EPA, Jackson said, “is now authorized and obligated to make reasonable efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Energy Act.”  More…


LCV: LCV on EPA Endangerment Finding: Critical Step Towards Tackling Climate Change

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2009  - Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson today officially announced that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose a danger to public health and welfare. The EPA also found that greenhouse gas emissions from on-road vehicles contribute to that threat.   LCV President Gene Karpinski released the following statement in response to the EPA announcement: 

“We applaud the EPA on this critical step towards tackling climate change and its recognition of the urgency for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This important finding and the administration’s acceptance of the clear science behind global warming adds momentum for clean energy reform that will create jobs, reduce pollution and provide greater security. Today’s announcement further emphasizes the need  for comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. We know that a cap on carbon makes good economic sense but the threat to public health posed by carbon pollution makes addressing climate change non-negotiable. The EPA’s declaration  sends an important signal to the world that the U.S. recognizes the dangers of carbon pollution as international climate negotiations get under way.”


DAILY KOS: RL MILLER BLOG: Why I'm Lukewarm about EPA's Greenhouse Gas Finding

by RLMiller, Dec 7, 2009

 Share this on Twitter - Why I'm Lukewarm about EPA's Greenhouse Gas Finding   Mon Dec 07, 2009 at 05:41:29 PM PST

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency took another step on the road toward regulation of mobile pollution sources (cars and trucks).  It issued formal findings that greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and five others) endanger human health, and that the greenhouse gases cause or contribute toward pollution. "Well, yes, isn't that rather obvious?" Below the fold, I applaud the EPA's action but warn progressives not to be complacent about it.  More…

 


TAKE ACTION


Climate legislation is expected to be considered in the Senate in early 2010.  Senators Baucus and Tester need to know that Montana citizens want strong climate change legislation that will mean clean energy jobs for Montana.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR - AND COPY IT TO SENATOR BAUCUS and SENATOR TESTER. 

Talking points for letters:

  1. We need a meaningful emissions cap that will reduce pollution effectively curb climate change. 
  2. The benefits of moving to a clean energy economy are huge.  Montana households would benefit from investments in clean energy with expanded job opportunities, rising wages, and reduced home heating and utility costs. The jobs are diverse and many have historically been well-paying, allowing more Montanans to support themselves and their families.  Clean energy investments create three times the jobs as the same level of investment in fossil fuels.
  3. Fuel savings over time allow investments in renewable energy to pay for themselves.  Renewable energy can save scarce water resources, compared to fossil fuel-generated electricity.  Planning as to facility location, improved forecasting, provision of backup and reserve capacities and appropriate extension of transmission and distribution grids, along with improved efficiency and capacity, help make renewable energy a reliable energy source.
  4. Carbon pollution is costing more and more each year in damage from droughts, spread of insect-borne diseases, more intense weather events like fires, hurricanes and storms, and increasing insurance rates.  We cannot afford to do nothing!
  5. Delay is not an option.  America's reliance on foreign oil threatens our national security.  We must invest a modest amount now to get cleaner air, greater energy security, and new energy jobs.  America must become a global leader in clean energy for the 21st century.

Here are some tips to help you write an effective letter and help get it published.

 

OP-ED: Billings Gazette (January 2, 2010): Guest Opinion by Rep. Franke Wilmer: Scientific illiteracy clouds climate-change politics.

 

SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON SEN. TESTER’S WILDERNESS BILL

Senator Jon Tester's testimony on the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act

Senator Tester’s web site on the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act (links to bill, maps, media, etc.)

December 17 hearing on the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act

Governor Schweitzer announced at the time of the hearing that he supports Sen. Tester’s wilderness bill. Sen. Baucus already noted his support for the bill. 

 

Shortly before Christmas, Rep. Rehberg announced a ‘Wilderness Listening Tour’ in five southwestern Montana communities (January 4-8) to garner public comment on Sen. Tester’s Wilderness bill with the potential of trying to ‘fix’ the bill.  The Billings Gazette reported on January 7 that Rep. Rehberg, who has not yet taken a position on the bill, will be holding 21 session.

 

Another way to talk with our Congressional delegation:

Senator Tester launches official Facebook page  (Dec. 15, 2009)

Senator will use site to share news, information, photos and videos

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester has launched his official Facebook page and is inviting Facebook users to connect to the site for regular updates…Tester will use his Facebook page to share news and information about his work in the U.S. Senate, and to post photos and video. More…

 

Rep. Rehberg also has a Facebook page, while Sen. Baucus maintains a Baucus 2008 site on Facebook.

 

One view of Montana’s Congressional Delegation voting:

Environment Montana Applauds Montana’s Congressional Champs

Senators Baucus and Tester joined 38 other senators and 144 representatives in taking the pro-environment position in all seven votes that Environment America tracked for its 2009 Congressional Scorecard.  The group released the annual scorecard as part of its national campaign to pass legislation in Congress to repower the economy with clean energy. 

 

CONTRIBUTE to Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund today! 

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