In The News
WATCH: Oklahoma Senator On Global Warming: I've Been Vindicated
Friday June 25, 2010
PERRY, OK -- He's been called an idiot, a climate killer, and one of the worst enemies of the planet, and it couldn't make Jim Inhofe more proud.
To Oklahoma's senior U.S. Senator, the insults just validate his efforts to expose what he says are the lies and exaggerations of global warming alarmists. And, as he told our Oklahoma Impact Team, his efforts are finally paying off, because public opinion on the issue is shifting.
Recent polls show this claim to be true.
A Pew Research Center poll done last October showed that Americans who believe there's "solid evidence the earth is warming" had dropped from 71 percent in 2008 to 57 percent. Also, a Gallup poll this March showed that the percentage of Americans who feel the seriousness of global warming is being exaggerated had jumped from 31, in 2008, to 48.
Poll results like those have Senator Inhofe feeling, not only validated, but vindicated.
To Oklahoma's senior U.S. Senator, the insults just validate his efforts to expose what he says are the lies and exaggerations of global warming alarmists. And, as he told our Oklahoma Impact Team, his efforts are finally paying off, because public opinion on the issue is shifting.
Recent polls show this claim to be true.
A Pew Research Center poll done last October showed that Americans who believe there's "solid evidence the earth is warming" had dropped from 71 percent in 2008 to 57 percent. Also, a Gallup poll this March showed that the percentage of Americans who feel the seriousness of global warming is being exaggerated had jumped from 31, in 2008, to 48.
Poll results like those have Senator Inhofe feeling, not only validated, but vindicated.
Dems United on Energy Plan: Lots of Enthusiasm, Few Actual Details
Thursday June 24, 2010
Greenwire: Inspirational' Democratic meeting yields no Senate game plan Senate Democrats left their latest round of energy and climate talks with what they hailed as a renewed sense of unity -- and little else. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and other party leaders called this afternoon's meeting "inspirational," "powerful" and even "thrilling" but conceded that Democrats had yet to rally around any of the legislative proposals currently on the table.
Mother Jones: Dems On Energy Package: Lots of Enthusiasm, Few Actual Details - Senate Democrats emerged from today's caucus meeting with little in the way of clarity on what their energy package might look like. But they were determined, however, to use the issue as a bludgeon against Republicans. Senators described a meeting in which caucus members were united in enthusiasm for passing an energy package, but they also said not many specifics were discussed. John Kerry (D-Mass.) described the meeting as "inspirational." Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said it was "an uprising of rank and file members of the caucus." "A number of senators said this was the best caucus they've ever attended," Majority Leader Harry Reid. But no one could say exactly what a package would look like on energy, climate, or the oil spill.
Mother Jones: Dems On Energy Package: Lots of Enthusiasm, Few Actual Details - Senate Democrats emerged from today's caucus meeting with little in the way of clarity on what their energy package might look like. But they were determined, however, to use the issue as a bludgeon against Republicans. Senators described a meeting in which caucus members were united in enthusiasm for passing an energy package, but they also said not many specifics were discussed. John Kerry (D-Mass.) described the meeting as "inspirational." Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said it was "an uprising of rank and file members of the caucus." "A number of senators said this was the best caucus they've ever attended," Majority Leader Harry Reid. But no one could say exactly what a package would look like on energy, climate, or the oil spill.
E&E; News: 'Inspirational' Democratic meeting yields no Senate game plan
Thursday June 24, 2010
Senate Democrats left their latest round of energy and climate talks with what they hailed as a renewed sense of unity -- and little else.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and other party leaders called this afternoon's meeting "inspirational," "powerful" and even "thrilling" but conceded that Democrats had yet to rally around any of the legislative proposals currently on the table.
Instead, Reid will work to cobble together some sort of compromise legislation that senators promised would address the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, boost domestic clean energy production and address climate emissions with a system in which the "polluter pays."
"We're going to write a bill that sets reasonable goals over reasonable time frames that will benefit both our environment and our economy," Reid said. "We're going to write a bill that can pass the Senate ... but we need the cooperation of Republicans that we're hoping will put good policy over bad politics."
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and other party leaders called this afternoon's meeting "inspirational," "powerful" and even "thrilling" but conceded that Democrats had yet to rally around any of the legislative proposals currently on the table.
Instead, Reid will work to cobble together some sort of compromise legislation that senators promised would address the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, boost domestic clean energy production and address climate emissions with a system in which the "polluter pays."
"We're going to write a bill that sets reasonable goals over reasonable time frames that will benefit both our environment and our economy," Reid said. "We're going to write a bill that can pass the Senate ... but we need the cooperation of Republicans that we're hoping will put good policy over bad politics."
Inhofe Crafting Measure To Allow States To Offer Pure Gasoline
Thursday June 24, 2010
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) will offer legislation next week that would allow states to opt out of federal law requiring a certain level of ethanol be blended into gasoline.
Inhofe says he's crafting a measure he thinks could pass the Senate that would allow state legislatures to choose to offer pure gasoline for sale in their states.
"I'm going to introduce on Tuesday - and I'm going to announce it today - that we are designing something we think will pass, and that is a state opt-out," Inhofe explained on KFAQ radio in Oklahoma. "Where a state - and it would take a resolution from a state legislature - it would allow them to opt out of this mandate."
Inhofe is the top Republican member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, where he'll presumably offer his ethanol language next week.
The legislation would provide for states to offer pure gasoline alongside ethanol-gas mixtures, for which federal regulations currently call. Ethanol is supposed to make up 10 percent of the content of gas sold in the United States.
Inhofe says he's crafting a measure he thinks could pass the Senate that would allow state legislatures to choose to offer pure gasoline for sale in their states.
"I'm going to introduce on Tuesday - and I'm going to announce it today - that we are designing something we think will pass, and that is a state opt-out," Inhofe explained on KFAQ radio in Oklahoma. "Where a state - and it would take a resolution from a state legislature - it would allow them to opt out of this mandate."
Inhofe is the top Republican member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, where he'll presumably offer his ethanol language next week.
The legislation would provide for states to offer pure gasoline alongside ethanol-gas mixtures, for which federal regulations currently call. Ethanol is supposed to make up 10 percent of the content of gas sold in the United States.
Inhofe: Reasoned debate needed to amend energy legislation
Thursday June 24, 2010
As oil continues to leak into the Gulf, President Barack Obama and the Democratic leadership face a critical test: Will they seek prudent measures to directly address the BP disaster or will they exploit the tragedy by advancing extraneous measures that drastically reduce domestic energy production, or even enact new energy taxes on consumers and small businesses?
My sincere hope is that President Obama exhibits the leadership necessary to engage in a reasoned debate - one that produces the same outcome following the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989. After a year-long debate and bipartisan negotiation, Congress unanimously passed the Oil Pollution Act in 1990. The OPA has largely been untested, and some of my colleagues believe it should be updated to account for new realities produced by the BP spill. I couldn't agree more.
My sincere hope is that President Obama exhibits the leadership necessary to engage in a reasoned debate - one that produces the same outcome following the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989. After a year-long debate and bipartisan negotiation, Congress unanimously passed the Oil Pollution Act in 1990. The OPA has largely been untested, and some of my colleagues believe it should be updated to account for new realities produced by the BP spill. I couldn't agree more.
The Oklahoman: Editorial: Spill not likely to change dislike for cap and trade
Thursday June 24, 2010
Inhofe, R-Tulsa, has been predicting cap and trade's doom for months, and nothing has changed his mind. Not even the Gulf oil spill, which the White House believes might rally Americans behind legislation they've panned so far.
During last week's Oval Office speech, Obama used the oil spill to argue America should consume less petroleum and move toward a green-energy future. The president believes cap and trade will encourage reductions in fossil fuel use while lowering carbon dioxide emissions.
Maybe the Gulf spill will ignite public fervor for what essentially would be an energy tax across the breadth of the economy, but we trust Inhofe's instincts - and his ability to count noses in the Senate.
Earlier this month, the Senate narrowly defeated a measure that would have banned the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon without explicit congressional authorization. Though the amendment failed, the vote was significant because six Democrats voted with Republicans - suggesting cap and trade is nowhere near the 60 votes needed to advance. Just like Inhofe says.
During last week's Oval Office speech, Obama used the oil spill to argue America should consume less petroleum and move toward a green-energy future. The president believes cap and trade will encourage reductions in fossil fuel use while lowering carbon dioxide emissions.
Maybe the Gulf spill will ignite public fervor for what essentially would be an energy tax across the breadth of the economy, but we trust Inhofe's instincts - and his ability to count noses in the Senate.
Earlier this month, the Senate narrowly defeated a measure that would have banned the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon without explicit congressional authorization. Though the amendment failed, the vote was significant because six Democrats voted with Republicans - suggesting cap and trade is nowhere near the 60 votes needed to advance. Just like Inhofe says.
EPA, CAP-AND-TRADE AND OIL
Wednesday June 23, 2010
"After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the nonexistence of matter, and that everything in the universe is merely ideal. I observed that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it - ‘I refute it thus.'"
Life of Samuel Johnson, by James Boswell
Dr. Johnson's famous refutation of Bishop Berkeley came to mind as we pondered the claim, tirelessly recited by advocates, that cap-and-trade will end, or materially reduce, America's dependence on oil. Yet just as Dr. Johnson struck the stone, we point to EPA's recent analysis of the Kerry-Lieberman bill, specifically the chart on page 31, which fairly starkly refutes the notion that cap-and-trade would make even a dent in domestic oil consumption.
Life of Samuel Johnson, by James Boswell
Dr. Johnson's famous refutation of Bishop Berkeley came to mind as we pondered the claim, tirelessly recited by advocates, that cap-and-trade will end, or materially reduce, America's dependence on oil. Yet just as Dr. Johnson struck the stone, we point to EPA's recent analysis of the Kerry-Lieberman bill, specifically the chart on page 31, which fairly starkly refutes the notion that cap-and-trade would make even a dent in domestic oil consumption.
Tulsa World: EPA fines still possible despite renovator reprieve
Tuesday June 22, 2010
WASHINGTON -- Renovators and others given a reprieve on getting certified to work on older homes with lead paint could still be fined if they fail to follow lead-safe work practices, a federal agency said Tuesday.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also confirmed those fines could be as high as $37,500 per day.
"The guidance states that EPA will continue to pursue enforcement action to ensure that all contractors follow the lead-safe work practices outlined in the rule,'' the agency stated in comments provided to the press.
"They include best practices such as dust control, site cleanup and work area containment.''
According to EPA, no one has been fined so far for violating the rule, which became effective on April 22.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also confirmed those fines could be as high as $37,500 per day.
"The guidance states that EPA will continue to pursue enforcement action to ensure that all contractors follow the lead-safe work practices outlined in the rule,'' the agency stated in comments provided to the press.
"They include best practices such as dust control, site cleanup and work area containment.''
According to EPA, no one has been fined so far for violating the rule, which became effective on April 22.
WSJ Editorial: The Antidrilling Commission
Tuesday June 22, 2010
"Under my Administration, the days of science taking a back seat to ideology are over. . . To undermine scientific integrity is to undermine our democracy. . . I want to be sure that facts are driving scientific decisions, and not the other way around."
-President Obama, April 27, 2009
The President has appointed a seven-person commission to take what he says will be an objective look at what caused the Gulf spill and the steps to make offshore drilling safe. But judging from the pedigree of his commissioners, we're beginning to wonder if his real goal is to turn drilling into a partisan election issue.
-President Obama, April 27, 2009
The President has appointed a seven-person commission to take what he says will be an objective look at what caused the Gulf spill and the steps to make offshore drilling safe. But judging from the pedigree of his commissioners, we're beginning to wonder if his real goal is to turn drilling into a partisan election issue.
E&E; News: Inhofe seeks more comment time on commercial paint rules
Tuesday June 22, 2010
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) yesterday asked U.S. EPA to extend the period for public comment on its proposed lead-paint rules for commercial buildings, signaling that the agency's recent move to delay a similar rule for residential properties has not allayed congressional concern over the issue.
In calling for an additional 60 days of comment on the pending commercial lead-paint rules, Inhofe -- the senior Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee -- said past federal actions against lead-paint poisoning have focused on a smaller group of Americans than the new rule would potentially affect.
"Previous lead paint programs have focused on high-need subpopulations, such as pregnant women and children, and residential buildings," Inhofe wrote to Stephen Owens, assistant EPA administrator in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "Public and commercial buildings will present an array of different issues."
In calling for an additional 60 days of comment on the pending commercial lead-paint rules, Inhofe -- the senior Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee -- said past federal actions against lead-paint poisoning have focused on a smaller group of Americans than the new rule would potentially affect.
"Previous lead paint programs have focused on high-need subpopulations, such as pregnant women and children, and residential buildings," Inhofe wrote to Stephen Owens, assistant EPA administrator in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "Public and commercial buildings will present an array of different issues."
