Republicans Oppose the PTC but Support Oil Subsidies

It is not surprising that many Republicans who oppose the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for renewable energy, support fossil fuel subsidies. Although the PTC was extended through 2013, some Republicans have vowed to continue their push to kill it. Conservatives are well known for their love of free markets and distrust of government subsidies, unless of course it involves fossil fuels. Some Republicans in Congress have made it clear that they will seek amendments that erode the PTC.

Republicans including the 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney, wanted to let the PTC expire. Romney and other Republicans who oppose the PTC say it costs too much and props up businesses with government subsidies.

Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said in an email that Romney "believes the government should stop playing venture capitalist and doling out open-ended subsidies, and instead encourage private sector innovation and market competition.” This is part of the same conservative philosophy that advocates for unbridled free markets and supports deregulation.

Comprehensive Summary of US Green Legislation

It is essential for businesses to keep abreast of the legal imperatives that impinge on their operations. Keeping up with green legislation in the US is no easy task. To help make this effort easier, Greenful has put together a comprehensive summary of environmental legislation from the Clean Air Act (CAA) which was passed in 1967 to Corporate Average Fuel Economy (Cafe) of 2012. Here are 27 links that cover all major green legislation and related amendments:

Boxer's Climate Change Caucus Breeds Hope for Legislation on Emissions Reduction

Although very few believe that the US will pass legislation that addresses global warming there is a glimmer of hope appearing on the horizon. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said on December 11th, that she’s forming a climate change caucus. This move suggests that Democrats may be preparing the way for legislation that addresses greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Boxer believes that extreme weather, particularly Hurricane Sandy has helped Americans to understand the urgency of addressing climate change. As reported in The Hill, Boxer said:

Election 2012: Implications for Coal and Natural Gas

The reelection of President Obama has already sent a message that is impacting the coal industry and it is likely that investors will be more wary of natural gas pending a review. Well ahead of more stringent regulations on the coal industry investors are already seeing the writing on the wall and divesting from this dirty source of energy.

As reviewed in the Washington Post, coal's stock valuations have been directly impacted by Obama's reelection. On the day after the election, shares of Peabody Energy fell 9.6 percent, Arch Coal plunged 12.5 percent, Consol Energy dropped 6.1 percent, and Alpha Natural Resources sank 12.2 percent.

Election 2012: A Mandate for Action on Climate Change

Although not everyone agrees, some environmentalists see the election of 2012 as an endorsement of action on climate change. As reported in a Guardian article, "activists say that it would be wrong to read the election as a stamp of approval for four more years of business as usual. They argue that voters have sent a clear signal that they want more aggressive action on the environment during the president's second term."

Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp is amongst those environmentalists who say that the election provides a mandate for aggressive action on climate change. After the election Krupp issued a statement on Wednesday November 7 saying:

The 2012 US Election Saw the Rise of Environmentalists as a Political Force

Environmentalism has been around for decades, but in 2012, despite a highly polarized electorate and a lack of formal discussion on climate change, environmentalists have emerged as a political force to be reckoned with.

As reviewed in the Washington Post, in the election of 2012, the environmental community played a key role in several stated including "New Mexico, Montana, Texas and other states, winning seven of eight targeted Senate races and at least three targeted House races."

A lot of money was spent by a number of different groups but even the fossil fuel industry was forced to concede that environmental groups appear to have invested their money wisely.

Political "Heroes" and "Villains" on US Air Pollution

A new analysis from the NRDC Action Fund, released in conjunction with advocacy group Environment America reveals "Who Votes Dirty?" The report, released on September 12, lists members of the US House and Senate as either "clean air heroes" or "dirty air villains" based on their votes on legislation related to air pollution. According to the NRDC's analysis, 99 members of the House and 43 senators were dubbed heroes, while 139 House members and 39 Senators were labeled villains.

A large number of the Dirty Air Villains, 48 Congressmen and 25 Senators, represent districts in towns and cities the American Lung Association (ALA) have ranked as the 25 most polluted cities in the US.

Tell Congress to Expedite Renewable Energy

Sign this petition to tell Congress that we need to expedite the growth of renewable energy in the US. We need to see Congress act to pass legislation that will help us transition to a cleaner, renewable energy future. Signing this petition sends an email to US Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), chair of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, US Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and the House Energy & Commerce Committee.

This petition unites the voices of Americans who demand our leaders take seriously the energy and climate crisis and immediately work to implement the policies to move our country toward a sustainable future.

Democrats the Environment and Green Jobs

Over the last couple of years the Democrats have passed legislation that staved off economic calamity. Contrary to the Republican attacks ads, the President's stimulus package has helped to create jobs and is poised to do more in the next couple of years.

A January 2010 report by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers found the clean energy provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act had already saved or created 63000 jobs and they are expected to create more than 700,000 green jobs by 2012.

Green careers could play an important role in the ongoing recovery of the US economy and they are crucial to future job growth. Green holds more potential for real economic growth than any other industry.

Clean energy is a national security issue and an issue of global competitiveness. President Obama wants to advance green industry so that the US can be a competitive leader.

Many Democrats understand that we do not need to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. The President and many Democrats seek to create green jobs by promoting clean technologies, for this generation and future generations.

A recent Pew Research Centre poll showed just 16% of Republicans say the earth is warming because of human activity, compared to 53% for Democrats.


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Democrats' Chances in the 2010 Midterms

As voting day approaches for this year's midterm elections, Democrats are trending in the right direction. However, the momentum leading up to the midterms favors the Republicans who are fueled by rabid hatred of Democratic policies if not Obama himself.

The conventional wisdom suggests that the Republicans will fare well because they have an energized base of support. However, according to new surveys, the black vote may break with tradition and turnout in greater numbers for midterm elections. Surveys found that 80 percent of black Democrats are as interested, or more interested, in the midterm elections as they were in the 2008 presidential election.

Also, 62 percent of all black Democrats polled said they are likely to encourage others to support certain candidates, compared with 47 percent of white Democrats and 57 percent of all Republicans.

A month ago, a Washington Post/ABC News poll indicated that Republicans had an enormous 53% to 40% lead among likely voters. A month later, polls showed the Republican advantage slipping, and the Washington Post/ABC News poll in early October offers similar evidence. On the generic ballot, a month ago, the GOP lead was 13 points, (53 percent to 40 percent). More recent polls indicate that the Republican advantage has shrunk to six points, (49 percent to 43 percent).

An October 17th NPR article reports that polls are showing the GOP's advantage in many key Congressional races is indeed narrowing. President Obama’s approval rating has also improved to 50 percent, and support for the president’s handling of the economy is up four points to 45 percent.

Republicans may have peaked in late August and early September and the Democrat's fortunes are improving as we enter the final stretch.

Midterm elections are rarely harbingers of presidential elections. Remember the success that Republican's had in the midterms in 1994 and subsequent Clinton victory in 1996. However, the six point spread may yet prove devastating to Democrats particularly when you consider that at this point in 1994, the GOP had a two point lead and they went on to make significant gains.

Perhaps Americans will wake up to the fact that this midterm election is not about checks and balances, or even venting frustrations, it is about a choice between progress and two long years of legislative stagnation.

People are voting Democrat so that the US can be competive with the rest of the world, others are voting Democrat to protect the planet for future generations, still others are voting Democrat to keep the wolves out of Washington.

Next: Election 2010 Midterm Predictions


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