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What Is John Dingell Really Up To?
David Leonhardt, New York Times
… It’s fair to say that during Mr. Dingell’s 52 years in the House of Representatives, he has often been the congressman representing the American automobile industry. He helped win a bailout for Chrysler in 1979, and he has fought nearly every regulation you can imagine, be it on air bags, tailpipe emissions or gas mileage. Back in the 1980s, when a senator from Nevada tried to raise fuel economy standards, Mr. Dingell responded by introducing a bill to create a giant new nuclear waste dump in Nevada.
Lately, however, he has been singing a different tune. After years of skepticism, he’s started talking about the fact that the planet is getting hotter. Most remarkably, Mr. Dingell – a Democrat and the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee – is promising to introduce a bill in coming weeks that would create a carbon tax.
A tax on carbon emissions, covering everything from gasoline to electricity use, is the climate solution that economists and environmentalists have long dreamed of because it’s probably the most powerful, least bureaucratic way to discourage pollution. It has been favored by everyone from Al Gore to Alan Greenspan – everyone, it seems, except a single elected official of any significance. Until Mr. Dingell came along.
For understandable reasons, though, the economists and environmentalists aren’t quite sure what to make of his conversion. They suspect that he is really a double agent, cynically supporting an infeasible solution – a big tax increase – as a way to maintain the status quo. But they also wonder whether they may be able to use him even if he is trying to use them.
(5 September 2007)
Richardson calls for transportation alternatives
William Petroski, Des Moines Register
Creston, Iowa. – The United States’ transportation system is “fixated on highways” and should include more emphasis on energy-efficient modes of travel with planning to ensure preservation of open spaces, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said here today.
Richardson told about 80 people at Creston’s historic railroad depot that he’s been struck by the massive traffic jams and congestion he’s encountered while visiting as many as three states per day while seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.
The problem, he said, has been caused by poor planning by policy makers who have suffered from an inability to look forward to provide alternatives to driving automobiles.
(4 September 2007)
America’s Car Culture Clashes with Climate Change (Audio)
Laura Sydell, All Things Considered (NPR)
For the last century, Americans have had a love affair with their cars. Americans drive bigger cars than any other country. And, even if they’re currently trendy, fuel-efficient cars still don’t sell as well in the United States as elsewhere. Can America change?
(3 September 2007)
NPR has been timid and backward on energy/climate issues. Perhaps this is a modest step forward? -BA
Lawmakers Get Ready To Revisit Energy Bills
House, Senate Must Reconcile Widely Varying Legislation
Steven Mufson, Washington Post
Congress looks set to tackle energy legislation — again.
Galvanized by a combination of $70-a-barrel crude oil prices, $3-a-gallon gasoline, war in the oil-rich Middle East and growing anxiety about climate change, House and Senate leaders have pushed through separate energy bills.
The only problem is that the two bills don’t match, and the differences could prove tough to iron out.
(5 September 2007)
Reporters preview House-Senate energy conference, upcoming climate talks (video and transcript)
Monica Trauzzi:, OnPoint via E&E TV
With the House and Senate back in session, what will Congress do about hot-button issues such as increasing fuel efficiency standards, implementing a new renewable electricity standard, and mandating the production and availability of biofuels? During today’s OnPoint, E&E Daily reporters Ben Geman, Alex Kaplun and Darren Samuelsohn preview the difficult negotiations expected during the upcoming energy conference. They also discuss the international and domestic climate discussions that are anticipated in the coming months.
(5 September 2007)
