Barbara Boxer: In the Driver's Seat on Environmental Laws
The chair of the Senate Environment Committee will shape a variety of green energy legislation
TOP ENVIRONMENT PLAYER
California Sen. Barbara Boxer is one of the environmental movement's biggest legislative supporters. She's opposed drilling offshore and in ANWR and backed cleaner drinking water standards and corporate funding of toxic cleanups. Her perch atop the Committee on Environment and Public Works puts her in the driver's seat for a variety of green agenda items, some of which have already begun. For instance, the economic stimulus bill signed by President Obama included a measure to increase the efficiency of thousands of government buildings.
Winning support from a few key members across the aisle will be vital, a challenge made greater by the fact that some in the GOP question the science of global warming. But getting around that can sometimes be as simple as punting on questions of causation. Last year, Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe, a global warming skeptic, cosponsored a bill with Boxer tightening efficiency standards for federal buildings. Gaining his backing was as easy as ensuring that the bill's text didn't include the words carbon or global warming. Similar compromises might be in the offing when issues like the transportation bill come before Boxer's committee.
But the approaching legislative calendar isn't filled with such obvious middle ground, and her success may hinge on selling the idea that reducing dependence on foreign oil is as much an economic and national security issue as an environmental one. Watch for Boxer to support legislation that extends California-style tailpipe emissions cuts and the regulation of other greenhouse gases under language in the Clean Air Act. Increasing the use of renewable fuels and devising a cap-and-trade system for CO2 are also legislative priorities.
READ ABOUT THE NEXT OF THE TOP EIGHT WASHINGTON PLAYERS ON ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
Reader Comments
Oil Reserves
i am impressed with the consistancy with which the oil industry has pulled the wool over the public eye since the first well was brought in.
They have consistantly created the impression of a limited supply or a shortge of available refined product for well over a hundred years.
As demand increased they miraculously found oil supplies to fill it.Good solid business I say except for the fact that their recent greed has literally taken the food out of people's mouths and in my opinion, contributed heavily to the collapse of our economy when they drove the cost of a gallon of gas past $4.00.
I don't have a problem with riggers and dirllers and the work-a-day people who make the whole thing go. I have a problem with the speculators and managers and accountants who scheme to fill their pockets beyond reason or decency.
I believe Exon-Mobile alone pulled in something in the neighborhood of thirty billion in NET profit in a down turned economy.
Right now gas is at $2.60 plus for no reason other than to fill the coffers and try to move that profit figure up another notch or two.
They cry about hurricanes etc. Are we really supposed to think that the leadership of the oil industry has not prepared for the inevitable hurricane or ship sinking or war or what ever? What does a store do just before a busy time? Tehy build up their inventory. Pretty basic stuff. The oil industry prefers to shut down the refinery and claim that it was coincidentally time for maintenance.
It's greed from within that will eventually bring this country to it's knees.Its the international executive who has no allegiance to any country who will be the driving force.
Boxer
Madam Boxer, is dumb as a box of ROCKS !
The Rest Of The Story On Protecting The Environment
It will take massive amounts of polluting energy to create green technology and transport parts, people and products around the world. Goals of decreasing auto emissions continues runoff from automobiles other polluters.
NOVA had an article that showed that if carbon dioxide was increased, we would almost be able to watch things grow. The reverse of that is that if carbon dioxide is decreased, growth to plants would decrease. Other uninhabited world might have tried this strategy and failed.
The best solution is to stop oppressive business and employment and turn to a retirement lifestyle of a garden paradise existance with trees, plants and pets that provide fresh food around us. It is our greatest security for good health and provision.
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