In The News
WATCH: Tulsa World: Inhofe questions Army Corps of Engineers on Arkansas River plan funding
Friday April 1, 2011
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., concerned that work on the Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan could go dormant, raised the issue of federal funding Thursday with a key official of the Army Corps of Engineers.
During a hearing on the corps budget, Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, told Jo-Ellen Darcy, an assistant secretary of the Army, that the Arkansas River project was a "substantial priority'' and referred to the $50 million already authorized to carry out ecosystem restoration, flood damage reduction and recreation components of the plan.
He also mentioned the cooperation that exists on that program among Tulsa County, the city of Tulsa and the Indian Nations Council of Governments.
With work continuing on a budget for the current fiscal year and talk of spending cuts dominating almost everything in Congress, Inhofe asked Darcy how her agency will approach decisions on funding such local projects.
Darcy responded that once Congress finishes work on funding the rest of the current fiscal year, her agency will need to prioritize.
During a hearing on the corps budget, Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, told Jo-Ellen Darcy, an assistant secretary of the Army, that the Arkansas River project was a "substantial priority'' and referred to the $50 million already authorized to carry out ecosystem restoration, flood damage reduction and recreation components of the plan.
He also mentioned the cooperation that exists on that program among Tulsa County, the city of Tulsa and the Indian Nations Council of Governments.
With work continuing on a budget for the current fiscal year and talk of spending cuts dominating almost everything in Congress, Inhofe asked Darcy how her agency will approach decisions on funding such local projects.
Darcy responded that once Congress finishes work on funding the rest of the current fiscal year, her agency will need to prioritize.
EPW POLICY BEAT: THE COMMON THEME: STOP EPA
Thursday March 31, 2011
As the Senate turns to vote on the McConnell-Inhofe amendment, several "alternative" amendments have emerged. They are a great service to this debate. They have shown that EPA's cap-and-trade agenda will, among other things:
- harm farmers, manufacturers, consumers, and small businesses;
- undermine America's economic competitiveness;
- allow California bureaucrats to decide what kind of car you drive; and
- allow unaccountable EPA bureaucrats to make national energy policy.
- harm farmers, manufacturers, consumers, and small businesses;
- undermine America's economic competitiveness;
- allow California bureaucrats to decide what kind of car you drive; and
- allow unaccountable EPA bureaucrats to make national energy policy.
POLITICO Pro: Senate Dems have lots of room to maneuver on EPA vote
Thursday March 31, 2011
Top Senate Democrats are giving rank-and-file moderates a pretty long leash when it comes to voting to hamstring the Obama administration's climate policies.
With a vote possible as early as Thursday on a Republican measure to strip EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases, Democratic leaders are likely allowing votes on three additional bills to curb the administration's power and give their moderates political cover - rather than rally their majority to vote down the GOP rider.
"The Democratic Party doesn't rule with an iron fist," said Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer of California. "We're not some kind of tea party party, where people march to a cup of tea."
Once Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma introduced the amendment to hamstring EPA on climate change, a host of moderate Democrats - including many up for reelection in 2012 - took cover by pledging their support for alternatives from their own side of the aisle.
With a vote possible as early as Thursday on a Republican measure to strip EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases, Democratic leaders are likely allowing votes on three additional bills to curb the administration's power and give their moderates political cover - rather than rally their majority to vote down the GOP rider.
"The Democratic Party doesn't rule with an iron fist," said Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer of California. "We're not some kind of tea party party, where people march to a cup of tea."
Once Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma introduced the amendment to hamstring EPA on climate change, a host of moderate Democrats - including many up for reelection in 2012 - took cover by pledging their support for alternatives from their own side of the aisle.
E&E; News: Greens see EPA-sized hole in Obama energy pivot
Thursday March 31, 2011
For environmentalists fighting to save U.S. EPA regulatory authority from the budgetary chopping block, the most pivotal part of President Obama's energy speech yesterday was what it failed to mention.
Obama called for greater use of natural gas vehicles and advanced biofuels yesterday while touting his administration's record on oil drilling and fuel efficiency. But nowhere in his 3,500-word address was a reference to the greenhouse gas emissions regulations facing threats on both sides of the Capitol this week in an epic battle for which many conservationists had hoped to see the White House suit up.
"[I]t is unacceptable that in a speech billed as being about 'energy security,' the president failed to recommit his administration to defending the Clean Air Act against rollbacks," Friends of the Earth climate director Damon Moglen said in a statement. "If the president is truly serious about energy security, he must be much more vocal in his support of this crucial law."
Dan Lashof, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's climate center, reacted to the speech by drawing a contrast between a White House seeking to "move American forward" and EPA critics "working overtime to move us backward." But Obama's proposed "clean" standard for electricity from low-carbon sources "can't be achieved if dirty power plants are allowed to continue indefinitely to emit unlimited amounts of carbon dioxide into the air," Lashof wrote yesterday on NRDC's blog.
Obama called for greater use of natural gas vehicles and advanced biofuels yesterday while touting his administration's record on oil drilling and fuel efficiency. But nowhere in his 3,500-word address was a reference to the greenhouse gas emissions regulations facing threats on both sides of the Capitol this week in an epic battle for which many conservationists had hoped to see the White House suit up.
"[I]t is unacceptable that in a speech billed as being about 'energy security,' the president failed to recommit his administration to defending the Clean Air Act against rollbacks," Friends of the Earth climate director Damon Moglen said in a statement. "If the president is truly serious about energy security, he must be much more vocal in his support of this crucial law."
Dan Lashof, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's climate center, reacted to the speech by drawing a contrast between a White House seeking to "move American forward" and EPA critics "working overtime to move us backward." But Obama's proposed "clean" standard for electricity from low-carbon sources "can't be achieved if dirty power plants are allowed to continue indefinitely to emit unlimited amounts of carbon dioxide into the air," Lashof wrote yesterday on NRDC's blog.
POLITICO Pro: Greens want to know: Will Obama fight for EPA?
Wednesday March 30, 2011
EPA chief Lisa Jackson was there to back up President Barack Obama when he spoke about energy policy Wednesday, but it's not clear whether he will return the favor.
As the Senate prepared to vote as early as Wednesday afternoon on amendments to upend the EPA's climate policies, Obama skirted the hot-button issue at his energy speech at Georgetown University.
The president gave a warm welcome to Jackson, who attended the talk along with other top administration officials. But while Obama made several oblique references to the need to curb global warming emissions, he didn't address the elephant in the room on climate issues.
Top White House officials have said the president would veto any stand-alone bill that seeks to unravel the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. But it's less clear how the White House would respond to a rider to limit the agency's authority, or to narrower amendments from Senate Democrats that are also expected to see floor votes.
As the Senate prepared to vote as early as Wednesday afternoon on amendments to upend the EPA's climate policies, Obama skirted the hot-button issue at his energy speech at Georgetown University.
The president gave a warm welcome to Jackson, who attended the talk along with other top administration officials. But while Obama made several oblique references to the need to curb global warming emissions, he didn't address the elephant in the room on climate issues.
Top White House officials have said the president would veto any stand-alone bill that seeks to unravel the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. But it's less clear how the White House would respond to a rider to limit the agency's authority, or to narrower amendments from Senate Democrats that are also expected to see floor votes.
National Journal: EPA Votes Will Put Some Senate Democrats on the Spot
Wednesday March 30, 2011
Numerous Democrats up for reelection in 2012 will cast at least one vote, and perhaps as many as four, on President Obama's climate-change rules as early as Wednesday that will come back to haunt them on the campaign trail-no matter how they vote.
Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Robert Casey of Pennsylvania, and a dozen or so other Democrats from energy-intensive states will face intense pressure from political opponents and interest groups on all sides.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said on Tuesday he will allow a vote on an amendment filed by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that would preempt EPA's climate-change rules.
The regulations officially went into effect in January, but they won't be rolled out for another couple of years. They will eventually regulate power plants, manufacturing facilities, and other major polluters.
Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Robert Casey of Pennsylvania, and a dozen or so other Democrats from energy-intensive states will face intense pressure from political opponents and interest groups on all sides.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said on Tuesday he will allow a vote on an amendment filed by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that would preempt EPA's climate-change rules.
The regulations officially went into effect in January, but they won't be rolled out for another couple of years. They will eventually regulate power plants, manufacturing facilities, and other major polluters.
E&E; News: Republicans say tomorrow's vote will put Dems 'on the record'
Tuesday March 29, 2011
Republicans are positioning themselves to declare victory tomorrow, even if Senate Democrats defeat Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's amendment to strip U.S. EPA of its climate change regulatory powers.
McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), who authored the amendment text, have both said that while the amendment may not garner the 60 votes needed to clear the chamber tomorrow, its failure will be at the expense of the swing-state Democrats who are likely to vote against it.
"I can't think of a better time for senators to be on record as to how they feel," McConnell said, adding that Senate Democratic leaders had delayed the vote from before recess in order to "hustle to come up with enough votes to defeat it."
"And maybe they will, but it will be an opportunity for everybody to go on record so folks at home will know how senators feel about this regulation, which is going to have an extraordinary adverse impact on our economy," he said.
McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), who authored the amendment text, have both said that while the amendment may not garner the 60 votes needed to clear the chamber tomorrow, its failure will be at the expense of the swing-state Democrats who are likely to vote against it.
"I can't think of a better time for senators to be on record as to how they feel," McConnell said, adding that Senate Democratic leaders had delayed the vote from before recess in order to "hustle to come up with enough votes to defeat it."
"And maybe they will, but it will be an opportunity for everybody to go on record so folks at home will know how senators feel about this regulation, which is going to have an extraordinary adverse impact on our economy," he said.
Tulsa EPA Hearing on Regional Haze Date and Time Set
Tuesday March 29, 2011
By Senator Inhofe
I have just been informed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the hearing on Regional Haze will be held on April 14, 2011 at Tulsa Tech - Riverside Campus in the Auditorium of the Alliance Conference Center in Tulsa.
This hearing, along with the one in Oklahoma City, will provide an important opportunity for Oklahomans to tell the EPA exactly what they think about EPA's flawed and misguided decision to reject Oklahoma's plan to reduce regional haze and replace it with a federal plan. This decision is estimated to cost state utilities $2 billion, and Oklahomans would undoubtedly foot the bill.
These hearings will give Oklahomans a chance to have an open, frank discussion about how to achieve affordable energy while continuing the state's progress on reducing emissions and protecting the environment.
I have just been informed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the hearing on Regional Haze will be held on April 14, 2011 at Tulsa Tech - Riverside Campus in the Auditorium of the Alliance Conference Center in Tulsa.
This hearing, along with the one in Oklahoma City, will provide an important opportunity for Oklahomans to tell the EPA exactly what they think about EPA's flawed and misguided decision to reject Oklahoma's plan to reduce regional haze and replace it with a federal plan. This decision is estimated to cost state utilities $2 billion, and Oklahomans would undoubtedly foot the bill.
These hearings will give Oklahomans a chance to have an open, frank discussion about how to achieve affordable energy while continuing the state's progress on reducing emissions and protecting the environment.
POLITICO Pro: EPA showdown now Wednesday
Tuesday March 29, 2011
Senate Democrats are preparing for a Wednesday showdown over the Obama administration's climate policies.
Majority Leader Harry Reid indicated that votes are coming soon on three measures aimed at limiting EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases.
"I think we're at a point where in the morning, we can vote on the McConnell amendment dealing with the EPA and a couple of other amendments relating to EPA to get rid of that issue one way or another," Reid said on the Senate floor.
The amendment from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) seeks to upend the administration's ability to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Two Democrats have offered competing amendments: One from Finance Chairman Max Baucus would shield agriculture and small businesses from climate rules; another from Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller would impose a two-year delay on climate rules for industrial sources.
Majority Leader Harry Reid indicated that votes are coming soon on three measures aimed at limiting EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases.
"I think we're at a point where in the morning, we can vote on the McConnell amendment dealing with the EPA and a couple of other amendments relating to EPA to get rid of that issue one way or another," Reid said on the Senate floor.
The amendment from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) seeks to upend the administration's ability to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Two Democrats have offered competing amendments: One from Finance Chairman Max Baucus would shield agriculture and small businesses from climate rules; another from Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller would impose a two-year delay on climate rules for industrial sources.
POLITICO Pro: Big green bark, small green bite
Tuesday March 29, 2011
Big votes are coming on the Obama administration's environmental agenda, and green groups are being forced to play defense in a world where D.C. pols aren't scared of them.
Environmentalists are being pummeled by Republican and Democratic-minded competitors in both advertisements and lawmaker donations, and they are finding it difficult to convince members that voting against their issues could hurt them at the ballot box.
What's worse, the greens' political punch has grown weaker as their issues stay in the headlines, from California's rolling blackouts a decade ago to last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill and more scientific warnings about the threats of global warming. None of those has translated into political victories they can claim credit for.
"I don't understand how these guys, the funders, don't ask for their money back or start suing for political incompetence," a longtime Democratic strategist said of the Washington, D.C.-based environmental movement. "You're judged by how many campaigns you win, lose or come damn close. They haven't gotten anywhere with that."
Environmentalists are being pummeled by Republican and Democratic-minded competitors in both advertisements and lawmaker donations, and they are finding it difficult to convince members that voting against their issues could hurt them at the ballot box.
What's worse, the greens' political punch has grown weaker as their issues stay in the headlines, from California's rolling blackouts a decade ago to last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill and more scientific warnings about the threats of global warming. None of those has translated into political victories they can claim credit for.
"I don't understand how these guys, the funders, don't ask for their money back or start suing for political incompetence," a longtime Democratic strategist said of the Washington, D.C.-based environmental movement. "You're judged by how many campaigns you win, lose or come damn close. They haven't gotten anywhere with that."
