In The News
Greenwire: Inhofe sees cuts to climate programs as major revenue source
Wednesday July 18, 2012
As lawmakers haggle over how to prevent $1.2 trillion in defense and nondefense spending cuts from going into effect in January, one senior senator says the answer is simple.
"If you're trying to come up with money, there are two big targets out there," Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) told reporters yesterday at the Capitol. "One is repeal Obamacare. The other is repeal all of the efforts [the Obama administration is] doing covertly on their climate agenda."
Inhofe pointed again to a Congressional Research Service report released in April that showed that from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2012, agencies across the federal government have spent $68.4 billion on climate-change-related projects. The Department of Defense also spent $4 billion of its budget on efficiency measures during the same years, the report says.
"If you're trying to come up with money, there are two big targets out there," Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) told reporters yesterday at the Capitol. "One is repeal Obamacare. The other is repeal all of the efforts [the Obama administration is] doing covertly on their climate agenda."
Inhofe pointed again to a Congressional Research Service report released in April that showed that from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2012, agencies across the federal government have spent $68.4 billion on climate-change-related projects. The Department of Defense also spent $4 billion of its budget on efficiency measures during the same years, the report says.
Global-warming ice sculpture protest canceled in embarrassment for green group
Monday July 9, 2012
In the sweltering, triple-digit Washington, D.C. heat, the climate change group 350.org planned to mock global warming skeptics on Capitol Hill Saturday morning by melting an ice sculpture shaped into the word “Hoax?”
Early Saturday, however, group founder and “Fight Global Warming Now” author Bill McKibben sent a cancellation notice to participants, claiming he was calling off the stunt out of sensitivity to those suffering in the heat wave — especially people in West Virginia.
“I think I screwed up,” McKibben began, explaining that while melting a statue was a good way to draw attention to global warming, it could also have offended those suffering in tough times.
“The idea was simple enough: if this epic heatwave gripping the nation has one small silver lining, it’s that its reminding people that global warming is very very real,” he wrote. “And the response was strong — we raised the $5000 it would have taken to pull off the event, and far more than that for relief efforts.”
“But we also heard from old friends, especially in nearby West Virginia, who asked us not to do it. The sight of ice melting while they sweltered would be too hard to take; their region, they pointed out, is as hard hit as any in the country by the heat wave, and it would make people feel like their plight wasn’t being taken seriously.”
Others are not so sure McKibben’s explanation holds water.
Early Saturday, however, group founder and “Fight Global Warming Now” author Bill McKibben sent a cancellation notice to participants, claiming he was calling off the stunt out of sensitivity to those suffering in the heat wave — especially people in West Virginia.
“I think I screwed up,” McKibben began, explaining that while melting a statue was a good way to draw attention to global warming, it could also have offended those suffering in tough times.
“The idea was simple enough: if this epic heatwave gripping the nation has one small silver lining, it’s that its reminding people that global warming is very very real,” he wrote. “And the response was strong — we raised the $5000 it would have taken to pull off the event, and far more than that for relief efforts.”
“But we also heard from old friends, especially in nearby West Virginia, who asked us not to do it. The sight of ice melting while they sweltered would be too hard to take; their region, they pointed out, is as hard hit as any in the country by the heat wave, and it would make people feel like their plight wasn’t being taken seriously.”
Others are not so sure McKibben’s explanation holds water.
Washington Examiner: EPA's crucifixion expert lands a new job
Friday July 6, 2012
Alfredo Armendariz was director of the Environmental Protection Agency's Region 6 -- Texas and four surrounding states -- when Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., unveiled a 2010 video of him saying his policy was analogous to ancient Romans overtaking villages: They would crucify the first five men they saw as an example to potential lawbreakers.
The EPA does the same, said regional director Al; its philosophy is to crucify companies to make examples for potentially noncompliant fossil fuel producers. The video -- and the outrage -- went viral. Director Al resigned.
Inhofe, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, facetiously surmised that when Armendariz skipped his testimony to explain things to a House committee, it was for a job interview at the Sierra Club. As it turns out, his joke was prescient.
Last week, Inhofe lampooned Armendariz, a Ph.D. in environmental engineering, in a news release: "I would like to congratulate Dr. Armendariz for his new job as a key player in the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign. I was, however, surprised not to have been asked to provide a reference -- I would have been happy to tell the Sierra Club about his steadfast commitment to regulating fossil fuels out of existence."
The EPA does the same, said regional director Al; its philosophy is to crucify companies to make examples for potentially noncompliant fossil fuel producers. The video -- and the outrage -- went viral. Director Al resigned.
Inhofe, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, facetiously surmised that when Armendariz skipped his testimony to explain things to a House committee, it was for a job interview at the Sierra Club. As it turns out, his joke was prescient.
Last week, Inhofe lampooned Armendariz, a Ph.D. in environmental engineering, in a news release: "I would like to congratulate Dr. Armendariz for his new job as a key player in the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign. I was, however, surprised not to have been asked to provide a reference -- I would have been happy to tell the Sierra Club about his steadfast commitment to regulating fossil fuels out of existence."
Tulsa World Editorial: Odd couple Inhofe, Boxer get transporation bill approved
Thursday July 5, 2012
Despite their political differences, and they are great, conservative Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe and liberal California Sen. Barbara Boxer often work well together. They did just that last week when they joined forces to push through the much-needed transportation bill with little time to spare before it expired.
Inhofe has long been a strong supporter of transportation funding, knowing just how much it is needed, to maintain the country's infrastructure and to keep Americans working. This bill saves almost 3 million jobs that might have been lost right at the height of the construction season.
Boxer, the chairwoman of the Senate Public Works Committee, and Inhofe, the ranking Republican on the panel, crafted the Senate version of the bill that will sustain current funding of $120 billion for 27 months.
Left out of the bill were two anti-environmental provisions - one that would have approved the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline from Canada and another that would have prevented regulation of toxic coal ash waste from power plants.
The Keystone pipeline, which also would add needed jobs to the work force, is likely to be approved when environmental questions in Nebraska are addressed. In fact, part of the pipeline already is approved.
Preventing regulation of toxic coal ash waste is simply good common sense.
Inhofe has long been a strong supporter of transportation funding, knowing just how much it is needed, to maintain the country's infrastructure and to keep Americans working. This bill saves almost 3 million jobs that might have been lost right at the height of the construction season.
Boxer, the chairwoman of the Senate Public Works Committee, and Inhofe, the ranking Republican on the panel, crafted the Senate version of the bill that will sustain current funding of $120 billion for 27 months.
Left out of the bill were two anti-environmental provisions - one that would have approved the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline from Canada and another that would have prevented regulation of toxic coal ash waste from power plants.
The Keystone pipeline, which also would add needed jobs to the work force, is likely to be approved when environmental questions in Nebraska are addressed. In fact, part of the pipeline already is approved.
Preventing regulation of toxic coal ash waste is simply good common sense.
Nice Try AP, But Americans Aren't Buying It
Tuesday July 3, 2012
Here we go again: after a prolonged cold spell on global warming, this morning's Drudge headline featured an article from the AP's foremost global warming reporter Seth Borenstein, "This US summer is 'what global warming looks like.'"
Interesting timing: just yesterday, Juliet Eilperin and Peyton M. Craighill of the Washington Post came out with an article, "Global warming no longer Americans' top environmental concern, poll finds." As it explains, one of the reasons Americans no longer worry about global warming is that they no longer trust the science:
Part of this lack of trust could be due to how Americans see climate scientists' motivations for their work. More than a third of them think that scientists who say climate change is real make their conclusions based on money and politics. Almost half say scientists who deny that climate change exists base their conclusions on their economic and political interests.
Interesting timing: just yesterday, Juliet Eilperin and Peyton M. Craighill of the Washington Post came out with an article, "Global warming no longer Americans' top environmental concern, poll finds." As it explains, one of the reasons Americans no longer worry about global warming is that they no longer trust the science:
Part of this lack of trust could be due to how Americans see climate scientists' motivations for their work. More than a third of them think that scientists who say climate change is real make their conclusions based on money and politics. Almost half say scientists who deny that climate change exists base their conclusions on their economic and political interests.
Oklahoma Transportation Secretary Gary Ridley praises highway bill (Oklahoman)
Saturday June 30, 2012
WASHINGTON — Though a highway bill passed by Congress on Friday won’t mean more federal dollars for Oklahoma in the next two years, the state’s transportation secretary said changes included in the legislation would yield financial benefits.
State Transportation Secretary Gary Ridley “I think you could say we’ll see the environmental changes speed up a lot of our projects.”
“I can’t tell you how excited we are about the opportunities Congress is going to provide the states,” Gary Ridley said in an interview. “I think all states will benefit from what they’re doing.”
House and Senate negotiators, including Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe and Rep. James Lankford, concluded work on the bill this week. House Republicans agreed to drop some unrelated provisions such as a requirement that the Keystone XL pipeline be approved, while Democrats agreed to House provisions that will streamline environmental reviews for road and bridge projects.
The bill will eliminate two-thirds of the programs that were part of the last highway bill, approved in 2005, and give states more flexibility in using money that had been required for alternative transportation modes, such as bike paths. Supporters said the environmental review changes could cut the average time of a project in half.
“I think you could say we’ll see the environmental changes speed up a lot of our projects,” Ridley said.
In the case of a bridge that needs to be replaced, he said, the changes in the bill could avoid lengthy review if the new bridge will be on the same “footprint.”
Those kinds of changes, Ridley said, will be “as good as money.”
State Transportation Secretary Gary Ridley “I think you could say we’ll see the environmental changes speed up a lot of our projects.”
“I can’t tell you how excited we are about the opportunities Congress is going to provide the states,” Gary Ridley said in an interview. “I think all states will benefit from what they’re doing.”
House and Senate negotiators, including Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe and Rep. James Lankford, concluded work on the bill this week. House Republicans agreed to drop some unrelated provisions such as a requirement that the Keystone XL pipeline be approved, while Democrats agreed to House provisions that will streamline environmental reviews for road and bridge projects.
The bill will eliminate two-thirds of the programs that were part of the last highway bill, approved in 2005, and give states more flexibility in using money that had been required for alternative transportation modes, such as bike paths. Supporters said the environmental review changes could cut the average time of a project in half.
“I think you could say we’ll see the environmental changes speed up a lot of our projects,” Ridley said.
In the case of a bridge that needs to be replaced, he said, the changes in the bill could avoid lengthy review if the new bridge will be on the same “footprint.”
Those kinds of changes, Ridley said, will be “as good as money.”
Oklahoman Editorial: New federal highway bill offers improvement
Friday June 29, 2012
Who says Sen. Jim Inhofe can't work with Democrats in Congress? Inhofe, R-Tulsa, has certainly earned his reputation as one of the Senate's most conservative members and is never shy about needling liberals, but he found common ground with one of that group's leaders in forging a reasonable federal highway bill.
Inhofe and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who agree on very little when it comes to policy, worked to produce an agreement that will essentially keep funding at current levels for the next two years. That alone is an improvement over the repeated 90-day extensions of the current bill that have been used for the past two years, which make it difficult for states to plan and carry out highway projects.
Inhofe says Oklahoma will continue to get about $600 million per year and will still get back more money than it pays in federal gas taxes. For many years Oklahoma was a "donor state," sending more gas tax revenue to Washington than it got back in highway funding.
Inhofe and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who agree on very little when it comes to policy, worked to produce an agreement that will essentially keep funding at current levels for the next two years. That alone is an improvement over the repeated 90-day extensions of the current bill that have been used for the past two years, which make it difficult for states to plan and carry out highway projects.
Inhofe says Oklahoma will continue to get about $600 million per year and will still get back more money than it pays in federal gas taxes. For many years Oklahoma was a "donor state," sending more gas tax revenue to Washington than it got back in highway funding.
Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe says highway bill compromise will be good for states
Thursday June 28, 2012
WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators reached an agreement Wednesday on a highway bill that will essentially mean status quo funding for the next 27 months, but will give states more flexibility in how they spend the money and reduce the time needed for environmental reviews on construction projects, Sen. Jim Inhofe said.
Inhofe, one of the lead negotiators for the Senate, said Oklahoma's funding would remain about $600 million a year, and the state would get back more money than state motorists pay in federal gas taxes.
Inhofe, R-Tulsa, said Republicans dropped demands for requiring the construction of the northern segment of the Keystone XL pipeline, while Democrats agreed to streamlining the environmental review process.
A strong supporter of the Keystone pipeline, Inhofe said the deal was a good one since he expects the pipeline ultimately will be approved.
Inhofe, one of the lead negotiators for the Senate, said Oklahoma's funding would remain about $600 million a year, and the state would get back more money than state motorists pay in federal gas taxes.
Inhofe, R-Tulsa, said Republicans dropped demands for requiring the construction of the northern segment of the Keystone XL pipeline, while Democrats agreed to streamlining the environmental review process.
A strong supporter of the Keystone pipeline, Inhofe said the deal was a good one since he expects the pipeline ultimately will be approved.
AP: Court blocks EPA rules for Oklahoma power plants
Monday June 25, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A federal appeals court has blocked enforcement of an Environmental Protection Agency plan that would reduce pollution from Oklahoma's coal-fired power plants.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday granted a request by the Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. and others for a stay pending a review of the EPA's rule requiring the reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions at four electric generating units.
The EPA's plan is designed to reduce pollution from coal-fired power plants and industrial sources to improve visibility at federally managed wilderness areas, including the 59,000-acre Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge near Lawton. It would affect plants operated by OG&E; at Red Rock and Muskogee and another operated by Public Service Co. of Oklahoma at Oologah.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday granted a request by the Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. and others for a stay pending a review of the EPA's rule requiring the reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions at four electric generating units.
The EPA's plan is designed to reduce pollution from coal-fired power plants and industrial sources to improve visibility at federally managed wilderness areas, including the 59,000-acre Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge near Lawton. It would affect plants operated by OG&E; at Red Rock and Muskogee and another operated by Public Service Co. of Oklahoma at Oologah.
Al Cardenas: Conservatives should break transportation bill gridlock
Thursday June 21, 2012
The spending and debt crises of the past few years in Washington have forced an important debate about the proper role of government, and the need for prioritizing government spending.
The failed $800 billion stimulus, TARP, countless bailouts and Congress' failure to make a serious attempt at controlling our $16 trillion debt have given many conservatives rightful anger over how Washington spends our money.
Unfortunately, well-placed mistrust in Congress' ability to spend our tax dollars is now jeopardizing legitimate spending projects, chief among them this year's transportation funding bill. If Congress fails to act by June 30, important transportation projects critical to our national defense and our economy will lose their funding. The effects on our already suffering economy will be far-reaching and profound.
While there are important disagreements between members of the House and Senate on this bill, enough consensus exists on the broad framework that there's no excuse for not passing it in time.
The failed $800 billion stimulus, TARP, countless bailouts and Congress' failure to make a serious attempt at controlling our $16 trillion debt have given many conservatives rightful anger over how Washington spends our money.
Unfortunately, well-placed mistrust in Congress' ability to spend our tax dollars is now jeopardizing legitimate spending projects, chief among them this year's transportation funding bill. If Congress fails to act by June 30, important transportation projects critical to our national defense and our economy will lose their funding. The effects on our already suffering economy will be far-reaching and profound.
While there are important disagreements between members of the House and Senate on this bill, enough consensus exists on the broad framework that there's no excuse for not passing it in time.
