In The News
E&E; News: GOP leaders blast Reid's public lands, water omnibus
Monday December 20, 2010
Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee -- whose Democratic chairwoman, Sen. Barbara Boxer, urged Reid to push the natural resources package -- also slammed the bill. Inhofe said through a spokesman that the package, unlike certain individual measures included, had no chance of passing and showed that Democrats would rather "play politics than ensure passage of environmental legislation."
"What is truly unfortunate is that within this massive package there are a number of bills that have broad bipartisan support," Inhofe spokesman Matt Dempsey said in an e-mail. "These bills, if considered separately from this massive omnibus package, may very well be able to pass the Senate."
Inhofe and fellow Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn have both pledged to block the 1,003-page bill.
Senate Democrats counter that Republican obstructionism has forced them to resort to catch-all omnibus measures like the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 and the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which passed with bipartisan support.
"I want to get this package done before Congress adjourns," Reid said in a statement Friday announcing he filed the bill. Just the day before, Reid had sounded less enthused. "I'm not sure we can get that done now," Reid said. "I sure would like to get it done, but I'm not sure we can."
Reid struck a decidedly different tone Friday. "These are bipartisan bills," he said. "There is nothing divisive about protecting historic battlefields, improving our most critical water sources or making sure that our best wildlife habitat remains wild and healthy."
"What is truly unfortunate is that within this massive package there are a number of bills that have broad bipartisan support," Inhofe spokesman Matt Dempsey said in an e-mail. "These bills, if considered separately from this massive omnibus package, may very well be able to pass the Senate."
Inhofe and fellow Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn have both pledged to block the 1,003-page bill.
Senate Democrats counter that Republican obstructionism has forced them to resort to catch-all omnibus measures like the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 and the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which passed with bipartisan support.
"I want to get this package done before Congress adjourns," Reid said in a statement Friday announcing he filed the bill. Just the day before, Reid had sounded less enthused. "I'm not sure we can get that done now," Reid said. "I sure would like to get it done, but I'm not sure we can."
Reid struck a decidedly different tone Friday. "These are bipartisan bills," he said. "There is nothing divisive about protecting historic battlefields, improving our most critical water sources or making sure that our best wildlife habitat remains wild and healthy."
Breaking News: Reid calls for passage of lands bill, Republians underscore opposition
Friday December 17, 2010
enate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) called Friday for passage this year of a package of more than 100 land and water bills. But Republicans quickly underscored their opposition to portions of the legislation, arguing it has little chance of gaining the necessary votes for passage.
“I want to get this package done before Congress adjourns,” Reid said in a statement Friday evening. “These are bipartisan bills. There is nothing divisive about protecting historic battlefields, improving our most critical water sources, or making sure that our best wildlife habitat remains wild and healthy.”
On Thursday, Reid expressed doubt that the package could pass. "I sure would like to get it done, but I'm not sure we can," he told reporters in the Capitol.
The omnibus lands legislation is a compilation of more than 110 bills that have been considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Commerce Committee and the Indian Affairs Committee. The bills are packaged together with the hopes of overcoming a Republican filibuster.
“I want to get this package done before Congress adjourns,” Reid said in a statement Friday evening. “These are bipartisan bills. There is nothing divisive about protecting historic battlefields, improving our most critical water sources, or making sure that our best wildlife habitat remains wild and healthy.”
On Thursday, Reid expressed doubt that the package could pass. "I sure would like to get it done, but I'm not sure we can," he told reporters in the Capitol.
The omnibus lands legislation is a compilation of more than 110 bills that have been considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Commerce Committee and the Indian Affairs Committee. The bills are packaged together with the hopes of overcoming a Republican filibuster.
Greenwire: Lands Omnibus Out of Time - Reid
Thursday December 16, 2010
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said today that it is unlikely that the Senate will have time to vote on a massive package of water, public lands and wildlife bills before the end of session.
"I'm not sure we can get that done now. I sure would like to get it done but I'm not sure we can," the Nevada Democrat said.
"I'm not sure we can get that done now. I sure would like to get it done but I'm not sure we can," the Nevada Democrat said.
E&E; News:12 Senate Republicans seek delay of EPA permitting
Thursday December 16, 2010
An in-the-works plan to grant Clean Water Act (CWA) permits for certain pesticide users is fast becoming the latest U.S. EPA regulation to draw politically charged pushback, as a dozen GOP senators yesterday pressed the agency for a delay in its enforcement.
In a letter to EPA chief Lisa Jackson, the 12 senators -- all members of the Agriculture and Environment and Public Works committees -- charged that the agency expanded the reach of its "general permit" for pesticide sprays over water in a second draft version that is now under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget.
The federal appeals court decision that effectively subjected pesticide sprays over water to a double-permit system, under both CWA and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), requires EPA to finalize its program by April. The senators asked Jackson to "either seek a delay from the court or use its authority to suspend enforcement of the new permit" until the agency's proposed changes to its rule can be fully digested by states where pest-control districts may now have to obtain an EPA permit.
In a letter to EPA chief Lisa Jackson, the 12 senators -- all members of the Agriculture and Environment and Public Works committees -- charged that the agency expanded the reach of its "general permit" for pesticide sprays over water in a second draft version that is now under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget.
The federal appeals court decision that effectively subjected pesticide sprays over water to a double-permit system, under both CWA and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), requires EPA to finalize its program by April. The senators asked Jackson to "either seek a delay from the court or use its authority to suspend enforcement of the new permit" until the agency's proposed changes to its rule can be fully digested by states where pest-control districts may now have to obtain an EPA permit.
Politico: The Democrats Public Lands Blame Game
Thursday December 16, 2010
Senators are trading blame for delays in introducing a package of public lands and water bills that Democrats are hoping to pass this year. Ben Cardin, who is working on the water half of the package, said yesterday that the problems are with the 70 lands bills that Jeff Bingaman has nominated for the package. Cardin said he was confident there were 60 votes for the package, but said the window has likely closed for this session. "I don't see where we find the time," he said.
But a Bingaman staffer said Cardin may be holding up the process, noting that almost all of the lands bills were unanimously approved in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "He's the one with the Chesapeake Bay bill," the staffer said, a reference to a Cardin-sponsored cleanup measure that several Republicans - including EPW ranking Republican Jim Inhofe - are unhappy about.
But a Bingaman staffer said Cardin may be holding up the process, noting that almost all of the lands bills were unanimously approved in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "He's the one with the Chesapeake Bay bill," the staffer said, a reference to a Cardin-sponsored cleanup measure that several Republicans - including EPW ranking Republican Jim Inhofe - are unhappy about.
Malkin: The Dems’ lame-duck land grab
Wednesday December 15, 2010
Environmentalists hate sprawl — except when it comes to the size of their expansive pet legislation on Capitol Hill.
In a last-ditch lame duck push, eco-lobbyists have been furiously pressuring Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to pass a monstrous 327-page omnibus government lands bill crammed with more than 120 separate measures to lock up vast swaths of wilderness areas. Despite the time crunch, Senate Democrats in search of 60 votes are working behind the scenes to buy off green Republicans. House Democrats would then need a two-thirds majority to fast-track the bill to the White House before the GOP takes over on Jan. 5.
Yes, the hurdles are high. But with Reid and company now vowing to work straight through Christmas into the new year (when politicians know Americans are preoccupied with the holidays), anything is possible. The Constitution is no obstacle to these power grabbers. Neither is a ticking clock.
In a last-ditch lame duck push, eco-lobbyists have been furiously pressuring Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to pass a monstrous 327-page omnibus government lands bill crammed with more than 120 separate measures to lock up vast swaths of wilderness areas. Despite the time crunch, Senate Democrats in search of 60 votes are working behind the scenes to buy off green Republicans. House Democrats would then need a two-thirds majority to fast-track the bill to the White House before the GOP takes over on Jan. 5.
Yes, the hurdles are high. But with Reid and company now vowing to work straight through Christmas into the new year (when politicians know Americans are preoccupied with the holidays), anything is possible. The Constitution is no obstacle to these power grabbers. Neither is a ticking clock.
E&E; News: Reid backs omnibus lands bill, suggests post-Christmas session
Tuesday December 14, 2010
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) today said a public lands and waterways package being brokered by two committee leaders is "extremely important" and among a handful of bills he hopes to pass before the session ends.
Reid also indicated he is willing to call lawmakers back into session after Christmas in order to complete work on items including the natural resources legislation, a repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, an immigration bill called the "DREAM Act" and a number of presidential nominations.
"I want to get out of here as soon as we can, but we're not going to walk away from any of the work we have to do," Reid told reporters following a Democratic caucus meeting today. "Congress ends on Jan. 4."
Reid noted that Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) have been working to put together the natural resources omnibus. "We're going to see if we can get some things to move forward on that," Reid said.
The measure includes more than 60 public lands bills passed by Bingaman's panel and 21 waterways and wildlife bills approved by Boxer's, according to a draft bill and a Senate aide.
Reid also indicated he is willing to call lawmakers back into session after Christmas in order to complete work on items including the natural resources legislation, a repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, an immigration bill called the "DREAM Act" and a number of presidential nominations.
"I want to get out of here as soon as we can, but we're not going to walk away from any of the work we have to do," Reid told reporters following a Democratic caucus meeting today. "Congress ends on Jan. 4."
Reid noted that Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) have been working to put together the natural resources omnibus. "We're going to see if we can get some things to move forward on that," Reid said.
The measure includes more than 60 public lands bills passed by Bingaman's panel and 21 waterways and wildlife bills approved by Boxer's, according to a draft bill and a Senate aide.
MEET EPA, PROJECT DESIGNER
Tuesday December 14, 2010
How far will EPA go in regulating greenhouse gases? Bill Becker, Executive Director of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA), and a key EPA ally, knows: "For the first time in history, EPA will require that facilities go through a process of examining every piece of their operations and take actions to improve energy efficiency." [Emphasis added] This is a remarkable admission, amply confirming the suspicion that EPA's climate change rules are not about climate change but subjecting the intricacies of private economic decision-making to EPA diktat.
This reality has alarmed Chris Korleski, Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. In his 6 - page opinion assaying EPA's draft guidance on what constitutes "best available control technology" (BACT) for greenhouse gas emissions, Korleski, appointed by Governor Ted Strickland (D), meticulously exposes EPA's unprecedented intrusion into private businesses.
This reality has alarmed Chris Korleski, Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. In his 6 - page opinion assaying EPA's draft guidance on what constitutes "best available control technology" (BACT) for greenhouse gas emissions, Korleski, appointed by Governor Ted Strickland (D), meticulously exposes EPA's unprecedented intrusion into private businesses.
Cash Pledge in Doubt - Deal Decades Away - Cancun: Great for Spring Break, not for Climate Negotiating
Tuesday December 14, 2010
Politico: U.S. Climate Cash Pledge in Doubt - …"They promised to pass a cap-and-trade bill and reminded us they wanted to give away $100 billion, and I said, 'From where?'" incoming House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) told POLITICO. Republican Sens. Jim Inhofe (Okla.), David Vitter (La.), John Barrasso (Wyo.) and George Voinovich (Ohio) urged Clinton last week to freeze all future spending requests related to international climate change finance programs and make no new commitments. "You're looking at a thing where you have a lot of people in Congress who are suspicious of foreign assistance,” said Mark Helmke, spokesman for Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Dick Lugar (R-Ind.). "All of a sudden, we're putting a whole lot of new demands at a time when people want to cut spending and when people are getting tired of money going overseas when we have a lot of concerns domestically."
Michigan Buried by Global Warming
Tuesday December 14, 2010
This weekend, a delegation to the United Nation's Climate Summit in the resort city of Cancun, Mexico that included Washington negotiators, Michigan faculty, and Ann Arbor students returned to declare that they had come to an agreement to transfer $100 billion - that's BILLION - to Third World countries to combat catastrophic global warming. The announcement came as a brutal winter snowstorm buried the Midwest in record snowdrifts that collapsed the Minneapolis Metrodome, drove temperatures to record lows in the south, and killed five people in the Metro Detroit area.
How many people has global warming killed?
Despite last year's Climategate scandal that have gutted climate science credibility, the United States increased funding three-fold in 2010 to a staggering $1.7 billion-a-year to fight the phantom global warming scare at a time when the country's federal and state budgets are hobbled by a loss of revenue from the Great Recession.
How many people has global warming killed?
Despite last year's Climategate scandal that have gutted climate science credibility, the United States increased funding three-fold in 2010 to a staggering $1.7 billion-a-year to fight the phantom global warming scare at a time when the country's federal and state budgets are hobbled by a loss of revenue from the Great Recession.
