Oil and Gas Agency to Split Environment, Safety from Leasing

Submitted by ecofactory on Wed, 2010-05-12 12:18
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Oil and Gas Agency to Split Environment, Safety from Leasing

WASHINGTON, DC, May 12, 2010 (ENS) - The federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources is going to be reorganized to separate its safety and environmental enforcement functions from its leasing and permitting functions.

In Wake of BP Spill, Democrats to Re-Introduce Climate Bill

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Tue, 2010-05-11 20:40
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In Wake of BP Spill, Democrats to Re-Introduce Climate Bill

The Senate is set to re-introduce a revamped climate bill tomorrow, now without a Republican backer. After a horrendous oil spill, a failed COP15 summit, and a packed election year, how will the bill fare?
Capitol Hill, where the future of the US Climate Bill will be decided

Senate Democrats are scheduled to reintroduce the climate bill tomorrow in the wake of the BP oil spill. The new bill, created by Senator John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, and Lindsey Graham, is expected to come before a vote prior to mid-term elections, where Democrats are expected to take heavy losses. Senator Graham withdrew his support for the bill, citing politically-driven lawmaking surrounding immigration reform. Graham now says that the oil spill has sunk the climate bill for good.

Obama Nominates Solicitor General Kagan to U.S. Supreme Court

Submitted by ecofactory on Tue, 2010-05-11 07:56
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Obama Nominates Solicitor General Kagan to U.S. Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, DC, May 11, 2010 (ENS) - President Barack Obama Monday nominated Solicitor General of the United States Elena Kagan as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she would fill the position on the nine-judge bench that will be left vacant by the retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens.

In announcing the nomination, President Obama called Kagan "one of the nation's foremost legal minds" and praised her understanding of the law and how it touches peoples' lives.

Audio Recording Reveals Private Discussions of World Leaders at COP15

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Fri, 2010-05-07 18:12
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Audio Recording Reveals Private Discussions of World Leaders at COP15

Recently released audio tapes reveal what was said between world leaders during closed-door sessions during the final hours of the Copenhagen Summit.

The German magazine Der Spiegel released an "accidental" audio recording of closed-door Copenhagen negotiations between world leaders. The audio tape, which has been verified to be legitimate, features world leaders negotiating for a climate treaty in a kind of tone not often captured by the cameras and microphones of the press.

Reid: "The Energy Bill is Ready... I don't have an Immigration Bill."

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Wed, 2010-04-28 23:30
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Reid: "The Energy Bill is Ready... I don't have an Immigration Bill."

There's confusion on Capitol Hill as leaders waver between which bill will see the Senate floor before elections, Immigration or Climate Change.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Obama tour a solar field

In an attempt to calm the furor surrounding the upcoming immigration bill, Senate majority leader Harry Reid announced that the climate and energy bill will be brought to the floor prior to working on immigration reform. This comes after Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Republican supporter and co-author of the revised climate bill, withdrew support from both bills citing the "political ploy" of Democrats looking to gain Latino votes.

Immigration Reform Casts Shadow Over US Climate Bill

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Tue, 2010-04-27 17:01
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Immigration Reform Casts Shadow Over US Climate Bill

After Congressional Democrats made moves to introduce immigration reform, key Republican moderates pulled their support from the climate bill, dimming chances that it can pass this year.

The revised climate bill, which was set to be unveiled yesterday, was shelved after a key Republican co-author withdrew support from the bill. The new bill was drafted by John Kerry (D-MA), Joe Lieberman, (I-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Graham was considered a vital bridge to the Republican party and a key part of the climate bill's success.

Inconvenient Youth: Teens Expand Al Gore's Climate Project

Submitted by ecofactory on Wed, 2010-04-21 13:12
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Inconvenient Youth: Teens Expand Al Gore's Climate Project

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, April 21, 2010 (ENS) - Teens who want to fight climate change now have a place to share their pledges, actions and ideas.

Inconvenient Youth, the new teen climate education initiative of The Climate Project, a program of Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection, will launch on Earth Day, April 22 with a website, www.inconvenientyouth.org.

Bolivian President Blames Capitalism for Global Warming

Submitted by ecofactory on Wed, 2010-04-21 13:10
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Bolivian President Blames Capitalism for Global Warming

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia, April 21, 2010 (ENS) - Bolivian President Evo Morales said capitalism is to blame for global warming and the accelerated deterioration of the planetary ecosystem in a speech Tuesday opening an international conference on climate change and the "rights of Mother Earth."

More than 20,000 indigenous, environmental and civil society delegates from 129 countries were in attendance as President Morales welcomed them to the conference at a soccer stadium in the village of Tiquipaya on the outskirts of the city of Cochabamba.

Battle Over California Global Warming Law Intensifies

Submitted by Nate Kharrl on Tue, 2010-04-20 20:06
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Battle Over California Global Warming Law Intensifies

Environmental groups are fighting back against a proposal that would delay or repeal California's landmark global warming law.
Photo via Mike Baird of Flickr

A movement to postpone California's global warming laws has stalled, giving environmentalists hope that the measure will not appear on the state ballot this November. Private interests opposing California's climate bill, AB32, have been losing a funding war against supporters who consist of Silicon Valley businesses with deep pockets like Google Inc.

Backlash to Palin's Nature TV Series Takes Shape as Haiku

Submitted by ecofactory on Mon, 2010-04-19 14:33
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Backlash to Palin's Nature TV Series Takes Shape as Haiku

WASHINGTON, DC, April 19, 2010 (ENS) - Discovery Communications has acquired the global rights to "Sarah Palin's Alaska," a new eight-part documentary series about the controversial former Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential candidate and the natural resources of her home state.

Slated to run on the cable TV network TLC, according to the March 25 announcement, the series will be executive produced by Emmy-award winner Mark Burnett, who produced the programs "Survivor" and "Eco-Challenge."