Global warming hits Fairbanks

The first five days of April had sub-zero low temperatures, pushing the number of days at the airport with lows of zero or below to 142 this winter, the most since the winter of 1958-59.

TheHill.com - Dem centrists press Pelosi to shelve climate bill

Democratic centrists are pressing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to set aside a flagging climate change bill to focus on what they think is a more achievable goal: overhauling the nation’s healthcare system.

But those close to Pelosi (D-Calif.) say she is charging forward on cap-and-trade legislation, despite the potential defections of Democrats who represent states with industries that would be adversely affected by the bill.

Pelosi views the bill’s troubles as predictable and solvable aspects of the legislative process.

Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.), a leader of the centrist New Democrat Coalition, sees healthcare as a more productive use of time.

“What a number of us believe is that if we’re in the business of passing legislation, healthcare is where we ought to be putting our emphasis,” said Davis, a vice chairman of the business-minded New Democrats. “That means putting that over climate change policy. But in the throes of a recession, more of a burden on industry is not a good idea.”

Waxman under fire on climate change [swindle] - Patrick O'Connor and Lisa Lerer - POLITICO.com

As the clock ticks on a self-imposed deadline, Rep. Henry Waxman is facing fire from all sides over his landmark measure to curb carbon emissions.

After months of haggling, he still doesn’t have a deal that moderates will support. On Wednesday, he had to back off his threat from a day earlier to skip a key subcommittee vote after members raised a ruckus. And, to top it all off, the president and others are breathing down his neck to wrap up work on climate change so that Waxman can turn his focus to the blockbuster fight of the summer over health care reform.
...
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) came to the defense of the legislation on Wednesday, telling reporters, “We will be on schedule to move the energy bill, make no mistake about it. It’s our highest priority.
...
Waxman’s dilemma, however, runs much deeper than last-minute procedural concerns. His bill has emerged as a major flashpoint for Democrats in the House, with party leaders debating its political risks last week during a closed-door session in the speaker’s conference room.