Action on greenhouse gases a 2011 priority for Senate EPW panel -- Boxer (12/06/2010)

The political collapse of cap-and-trade climate legislation won't dislodge greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the top of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's agenda next year, Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) vowed today.
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"What we have to do is just let people know the truth" about the science of climate change, Boxer said. The oil industry-backed ballot measure aimed at stalling California's state law lost decisively, she asserted, after supporters of emissions limits "pulled open the curtain" with a well-funded messaging campaign (E&E Daily, Nov. 3).

"We're going to continue, in this committee, to tell the truth," Boxer added. "That's going to mean some robust debate, and I like that -- let the American people see the deniers, and let them see the science. ... I believe in the American people's wisdom."

Boxer said she expects the environment panel to keep the climate issue front and center through briefings, hearings and other events in 2011.

Future uncertain for W.H. energy post - Darren Samuelsohn - POLITICO.com

Would anyone notice if the White House didn't have a special energy and climate office?

That's the million-dollar question as President Barack Obama considers giving Carol Browner a promotion to deputy chief of staff.
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Comprehensive climate legislation is dead and won't be coming back for several years. House Republicans are salivating over the chance to investigate global warming science, as well as Obama's use of so-called "czars" like Browner who they claim have unprecedented power over Senate-confirmed agency heads.

As opposed to a year ago when Obama himself went to Copenhagen for U.N. climate negotiations, the president is sending only a token team to the talks that conclude this week in Cancun. Browner won't be going.

"The demise of carbon pricing legislation makes the Browner slot vestigial, like an appendix or a pinky toe," said Keith Hennessey, a veteran of the George W. Bush White House who worked on energy and environmental issues.

Powerpoint Diplomacy in an Energy Push at Climate Talks - NYTimes.com

The halls at talks this year are filled with a variegated array of finance ministers, foreign secretaries and energy officials (not to mention armies of energy lobbyists, investors and environmental campaigners).

Twitter / Brad Johnson [Why didn't Chu spend more time at the meeting to save our children from horrible CO2-induced death?]

No time for questions, Chu has to run to the airport