Compass

More About "Cash for Clunkers"

This is a guest post by Ann Mesnikoff, Director of the Sierra Club's Green Transportation Campaign.

 “I think that like any investor, the American taxpayer has a right to scrutinize what's being proposed and make sure that their money is not just being thrown down the drain.”  ---President Obama

Now that we are all part owners of two of what were once called the Big 3 – GM and Chrysler, we need to make sure our dollars are not being thrown down the drain – or worse, helping to move gas guzzlers off the lot.  With Congress on the verge of a “cash for clunker” deal, Americans must stay involved. This could be another bailout or it could be good policy.

100 Days of Coal

This is the weekly post from Bruce Nilles, director of Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign.

As everyone talks about the Obama Administration’s first 100 days, I thought I’d join the conversation and give a status report on what they’ve done to end the use of coal and the destructive practice of mountaintop removal coal mining.

The steps taken so far on coal-fired power plants are definitely putting the U.S. on the right track toward clean energy:

EPA Opposes Big Stone II Coal Plant in South Dakota: On January 23, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overturned approval of this proposed coal-fired power plant. EPA's decision came after the state failed to require state-of-the-art pollution controls for the coal plant - controls that would address harmful soot, smog and global warming pollution. This decision showed that EPA is back to enforcing long-standing legal requirements fairly and consistently nationwide and that they're concerned about pollution and global warming.

A Major Step Toward Regulating CO2 From Coal Plants: On February 17, President Obama's EPA took the first step toward regulating carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. EPA, under the new leadership of Administrator Lisa Jackson, granted a petition from the Sierra Club and other groups calling for reconsideration of a memo issued by former EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson which sought to prohibit controls on global warming pollution from coal plants.

Bush Rule on Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Reversed

The Obama Administration today announced moves to reverse the Bush Administration’s devastating last-minute weakening of the stream buffer zone rule, a key protection for waterways near mountaintop removal coal mines. The move comes in response to a legal challenge by a coalition of organizations including the Sierra Club.

From Mary Anne Hitt, deputy director of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign:
"Restoring the previous stream buffer zone regulation is one component in the fight to end mountaintop removal coal mining. But with the explosives and bulldozers standing by, it will take tough enforcement and more rule changes and legislation to end mountaintop removal coal mining completely.

"The administration's move today underscores how much work it is going to take to end mountaintop removal coal mining. Even with the original stream buffer zone rule back in effect, it will take tough enforcement and bold action from various agencies to protect our communities and streams."

Mountaintop removal coal mining is devastating, and this move from the Department of the Interior does not end it. Already close to 2,000 miles of streams have been contaminated or destroyed by mountaintop removal coal mining, and communities throughout the Appalachian region suffer daily from contaminated drinking water, increased flooding, and a decimated landscape. The Sierra Club will continue to work with the Obama Administration to end mountaintop removal coal mining.

Gore Rips Blackburn

Watch Al Gore take it to Rep. Marsha Blackburn at today's hearings

Scroll down to see our minute-by-minute take on the four long days of historic hearings!

Day 4 - Broken Record LiveBlog of House Climate Hearings

We've heard some whoppers (scroll down to see days 1-3's liveblogs). But we still have an entire day to go, and who knows what we'll hear today. Highlights include Newt Gingrich and Al Gore, click here to see the full list of today's speakers at the House Energy & Commerce hearings on the "American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009."

Green Reflections

This post is by Kyle McEvilly, Intern for the Sierra Club's Global Warming & Energy Team.

My internship experience with the Sierra Club reaches a conclusion today.  In the past three months, I have worked energetically to advance the aims of this non-profit environmental group.  The Club's goals are lofty, but when its initiatives attain realization, the residents of this blue and green sphere will emerge as the real winners.

The Sierra Club is clearly a successful organization, as witnessed by its elevating membership, increasing congressional influence, and expanding sense of relevancy in the 21st century.  The organization will continue its relationship with decision-makers here in Washington, D.C. and will strengthen associations with communities around the United States.  This action ensures environmental improvement at a grassroots level, which is how the green movement initially began.  It is astonishing to view the environment's arduous journey from the local to the national scene.  The Obama administration does indeed offer hope--hope for current and future citizens of this Earth to live in a world composed of clean air, pristine landscapes, and ecological soundness.

Day 3 LiveBlog - "Broken Record" House Climate Hearings

Are you ready? Day 1 and Day 2 archives below.

Our opponents will say anything - not matter how factually inaccurate, how patently untrue, or how ridiculous it sounds - to stop progress on climate and energy legislation. We're here to call them out. You can participate too - leave a comment below, or use #BrokenRecord on Twitter.

Helping Henry Waxman Get the Job Done

This is the weekly blog post from Bruce Nilles, director of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign.

Two weeks ago U.S. Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA), a longtime clean energy and public health champion, released a discussion draft outlining his ambitious plans to combat global warming and create jobs.  (Hearings are currently being held for this draft bill too, check out the Sierra Club's liveblogging of them on this very blog).

Waxman laid out a bold plan that holds the promise to renew and rebuild our economy, shift U.S. energy production toward clean, modern, and cheap sources like the wind and the sun, and slash our dependence on oil and coal—all while reducing global warming and creating millions of new jobs.

What makes this bill a good start?

• a strong target to cut pollution twenty percent over the next decade,
• a robust renewable electricity standard requiring 25 percent clean electricity by 2025, and
• many strong measures to reduce energy waste and help businesses and residents save money. 

What you missed today

Here's a taste of what you're missing at the Energy and Commerce hearings, courtesy of Congressman Joe Barton (TX)

Check back here at 9:30 tomorrow morning for tomorrow's LiveBlog!

Day 2 LiveBlog - "Broken Record" House Climate Hearings

And they're at it again. Follow our LiveBlog of the goings-on during the second day of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Climate Hearings.

Our opponents will say anything - and we mean ANYTHING - to cloud the truth. That's why we're here, to make sure they get called for spreading misinformation.

On Twitter? Want to join in the conversation? We're using the #BrokenRecord hashtag on Twitter.