Study Shows Early Stages In Reducing Emisisons Can Begin Without Congress

By Linn Grubbstrom - Talk Radio News Service

The World Resources Institute (WRI) recently conducted a study that revealed certain federal agencies can take the initial steps towards reducing green house gas emissions before Congress passes any form of energy reform.

President Barack Obama promised the world at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference the United States was committed to reducing green house gas emissions 17% lower than 2005 levels by 2020. The statement, considered bold by some, demands regulatory tools in any approach, this according findings in a new study conducted by the World Resources Institute (WRI).

“The main finding in our study is that existing tools that are available to federal agencies in the US can get us part of the way to the point we need to be on green house gas emissions,” said Franz Litz, senior fellow at WRI.

The study revealed findings that would ultimately lead to the reduction of green house gas emissions without immendiate action from Congress. Experts said that the Envirnonmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy can jump start initiatives on their own.

“We say that if they act aggressively, beginning right away, that they could reduce the emissions collectively by 14% below 2005 levels by 2020, which is only three percent short of what the Obama administration committed to,” said Litz. 

Jennifer Morgan, director of WRI’s Climate and Energy Program, said that countries around the world are watching and waiting for the U.S. to make progress in regulating emissions. Experts said countries, investors and companies all want to know when and where to invest money towards .

“Other countries have been asking us…what are the other options if the U.S. does not, in the end, pass legislation, how far can they get?” Morgan said. “They want to know what role America is going to play in the clean energy race in the future.”

Things Get "Massey" At National Press Club Luncheon

Robert Hune-Kalter - Talk Radio News Service

Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Energy Company spoke at the National Press Club Thursday but tensions ran high as three protesters were escorted out after moving to the front of the room and obstructing the podium with signs reading, “Massey Energy - Not Clean, Safe, Or Forever.”

Blankenship has made frequent appearances on national headlines after an April explosion at a Massey mine in Montcoal, West Virginia that killed 29 workers.

“I’m a realist. The politicians will tell you we’re going to do something so this never happens again,” said Blankenship. “You won’t hear me say that because I believe the physics of natural law and God trump whatever man tries to do.”

Blankenship said that the NFDL incident rate, a metric of lost-time accidents for mining, does not reach the top 12 most dangerous jobs.

“It’s more dangerous to drive a cab in New York or work at a 7-Eleven,” said Blankenship.

When asked about the Miner Safety and Health Act that passed in the House on July 21, Blankenship was quick in calling it a “knee-jerk” reaction by the government.

“We believe that the ventilation systems being dictated on us by the government are less safe,” said Blankenship. “We believe the air that has been used in the mining process needs to be taken outside the mine as quick as possible, but MSHA often disagrees with that.”

Blankenship wants to see independent pragmatic and scientific laws of safety put into place, rather than make laws that appear to do that in the publics eye.

Senate Will Temporarily Shelve Big Energy Bill

By Linn Grubbstrom - Talk Radio News Service

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), alongside Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and White House energy chief Carol Browner, announced that he will introduce a slimmed-down energy package next week.

Reid said that while Kerry and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) continue to look for support for their bill from utilities and other lawmakers, he will bring forth a series of measures involving oil spill response provisions and moderate energy proposals aimed at attracting bipartisan support.

While the announcement is being viewed as a setback to many who support climate legislation, Kerry said he remains optimistic. He compared the situation to healthcare reform, a landmark bill that took years to pass.

“This is not going to take that long,” promised Kerry. “It is not going to take close to that long.”

Kerry, however, admitted that getting Republicans to support his bill could take “months.”

In the meantime, Kerry said he supports efforts in the Senate to crack down on the oil industry. 

Congress, America Back Warren In CFPB Director Nomination

By Sarah Mamula - Talk Radio News Service

President Obama recently signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform bill, and in doing so, he also created the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The bureau’s mission is to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive treatment by financial providers. Now, the question on Capitol Hill is, who will Obama appoint as the new CFPB Director? Congress appears to have one person in mind, Professor Elizabeth Warren.

“It is absolutely necessary that we have a strong smart consumer advocate who will look out for the needs of ordinary people as the head of the CFPB,” said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). “Professor Elizabeth Warren is that person.”

Harvard Law School Professor, Elizabeth Warren, became the chair of the TARP Congressional Oversight Panel and has advocated the creation of the CFPB since 2007. Warren has Congressional leaders from both the House and the Senate pressing President Obama to nominate her for the positition.

“Who better to serve as director of the bureau than its architect?” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn). DeLauro also emphasized that Warren predicted the current recession three years ago, and has been “fearless” in speaking her mind without thought of gaining “disfavor of those at the top.” 

Warren not only has Congress supporting her nomination, but according to Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), 140,000 Americans have signed a petition in their support for Warren.

“The bill signing was just the first step,” said Rep. Maloney. “The implementation is just as important as passing the bill.”

After the Senate’s recent grilling of Elena Kagan, Rep. Maloney welcomes the confirmation process and stands behind a Warren noination.

“Her confirmation is a fight worth having,” Maloney said.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) added that Republicans would have no reason to oppose her. 

“Are the Republicans going to argue that she shouldn’t be confirmed because she’s too tough on the big banks…[and] the financial industry?” said Harkin. “Boy, that’ll get them a lot of votes in November.” 

Led by Sen. Harkin and Rep. Maloney, letters signed by over 50 House members and 12 Senators were sent to the President strongly encouraging his nomination for Warren. 

Salazar Defends Moratorium, Promotes Safe Energy Future

Philip Bunnell - Talk Radio News Service

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar told members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Thursday he hopes the country will learn from the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and defended a moratorium on deepwater drilling imposed by the Obama administration.

Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) expressed outraged with the administration’s response to the spill, saying the temporary drilling ban “doesn’t make any sense to me.” Burton said he feared rigs will move to other countries, leaving many American workers without jobs.

Salazar defended the moratorium, saying it is necessary when “all of our resources are focused” on the current spill.

Salzar said he hopes that the Gulf can be restored to a condition “better than it was before April 20,” and that the country will invest in safer oil and gas acquisition methods.

“[We must] embrace the new energy future of America with a much broader portfolio including wind, solar, and geothermal energy,” the embattled Secretary said.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) voiced concern over the nation’s energy policy as a whole, calling offshore drilling exploitive of the environment.

“We need to start thinking about [how] our system is collapsing.”