This news is also breaking...
Today, the President held a private meeting with key people in the current energy/climate debate in the Senate.
Muted Outcome from White House Energy Meeting
The statement reflects no wavering by Obama on his insistence that "the best way for us to transition to a clean energy economy is with a bill that makes clean energy the profitable kind of energy for America’s businesses by putting a price on pollution."
...
Here’s the White House statement:
The meeting the President hosted with a bipartisan group of Senators was a constructive exchange about the need to pass energy and climate legislation this year that lasted more than an hour-and-a-half. The President made clear his view that a full transition to clean energy will require more than just the government action we’ve taken so far. It will require a national effort from all of us to change the way we produce and use energy.
The President said that there was a strong foundation and consensus on some key policies and the President urged the Senators to come together based on that foundation. There was agreement on the sense of urgency required to move forward with legislation and the President is confident that we will be able to get something done this year.
Will you be there to help get this done?
Are you tired of the corporate apologists?
Are you tired of the corporate welfare state?
Are you tired of big oil's record shattering profits quarter after quarter after quarter?
Then this is the time your have been waiting for.
GOBP/reBPublicans try to weaken any actions that protect the public from big oil.
It is time to shout it from the rooftops.
Contact the White house RIGHT NOW with your comments and questions:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/...
http://www.facebook.com/...
http://twitter.com/...
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UPDATE I:
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The meeting has begun
http://www.whitehouse.gov/...
I'll sorta liveblog the meaty parts here , I guess.
ITEM 1:
they are using a Mac.
ITEM 2:
1st question cuts right to the chase.
OUR OWN JOSH NELSON GOES RIGHT FOR THE JUGULAR. YES!!!!!
Answer was a bit too long and rambling.
But they are trying to stand strong.
ITEM 3:
2nd question uses jackass "Cap and tax" GOBP talking point.
She dismisses is succintly
ITEM 4: Transportation.
It's good to hear them keeping this on the table because rumors are swirling about possibly focusing only on utilities.
ITEM 5: "No silver bullet"
Nukes are part of the solution. Tax credits for new facilities, will create jobs. Blue ribbon panel? I guess that's good.
ITEM 6: Geothermal.
Vague answer. The same question mentions the grid. "antiquated"
She agrees. Smart grid technology. Vast windy areas of the plains need transmission lines. "A big priority."
ITEM 7: Energy Star program question.
Energy efficient windows, etc.
ITEM 8: Another GOBP talking point about "cost."
House bill "Cost of a postage stamp per day by 2020."
I like that answer.
ITEM 9: Oilpocalype question -but they didn't use that term
:-(
Next question about a National Investment Bank.
Interesting...
ITEM 10: Time for just 1 more?!?!
GRRrrr
Why haven't the solar panels been re-installed?
that will leave a mark.
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Final UPDATE:
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That was waay too short for my liking. I am glad that at least one Kossack got his question read aloud and addressed.
Now it is up to us to keep the heat on the Senate and ensure that the fence-sitters support the President's efforts.
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Why Antarctic Sea Ice Is Growing in a Warmer World
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Our mission
"We all need to know the true extent and nature of this oil catastrophe, as well as the real reasons why this happened so we can make sure it never happens again." Greenpeace USA Executive Director Philip Radford
And here is a report from Paul Horsman who is TckTckTck Campaigns Director onboard the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. He explains the purpose of the expedition, which is so very important and part of keeping our eye on the Gulf.
Day 4 of the Gulf oil spill impacts expedition: The research begins
Tomorrow, the first team of scientists will come on board and we will take them to the Dry Tortugas where they investigate corals and take samples of sponges. These colonial animals filter the water for their food and so they accumulate material in their bodies which makes them good indicators of what is in the water. Following this first leg of the voyage, the ship then heads out towards the site of the Deepwater Horizon taking samples of plankton – the tiny floating animals and plants which make up the base of the marine food chain. On board will also be mammal researchers to record any whales and dolphins. A lot of research has been done in the Gulf on marine mammals and so there is baseline data against which to measure any possible impacts.
At the other side of the Gulf, scientists from Texas will join the ship and deploy equipment to try to assess the extent of any sub-surface oil either as underwater plumes or as so-called ‘dead-zone’ areas. These are where the bacteria in breaking down the oil have used up oxygen in the water. The Gulf is known for having seasonal dead-zones but it is possible that these could have been made worse as the environment deals with the onslaught of millions of gallons of oil and chemicals. Finally submersibles will be used to look at the seabed and any possible impacts on deep water animals.
The research is likely to raise more questions than answers. But this is the start of trying to see what the impacts of this spill have been. It will take many months if not years before the full account of what happened here will be known. In the meantime, we can call our government to account, we can stop the industry expanding and continuing as if nothing had happened. We must continue to demand a shift from environmentally destructive energy sources to clean renewable energy.
Speaking of Renewable energy, Science magazine has a feature, Special Section: Scaling Up Alternative Energy that is available to non-subscribers until the end of the month.
In the 13 August 2010 issue, Science explores worldwide efforts to develop clean, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. News stories highlight some of the challenges associated with making this energy transition, Perspectives take an in-depth look at how researchers hope to scale up biofuels development, and a Review discusses a two-stage approach for expanding nuclear power generation. An all-energy podcast features interviews with authors of the special section.
One such feature caught my eye, Do We Have the Energy for the Next Transition? by Richard A. Kerr
The history of past major energy transitions—from wood to coal, and from coal to oil and gas—suggests that it will be a long, tough road to scaling up alternatives to fossil fuels that don't stoke greenhouse warming. A big problem is that, for the first time, the world is moving to tap new energy sources that are, in many ways, less useful and convenient than the currently dominant sources: fossil fuels. Oil in particular is densely packed with energy, easily transported and stored, and efficient at releasing its energy in modern engines. Renewables are another matter. Fuel sources like corn kernels or wood chips tend to be bulky, and their energy content is diffuse. Planting energy crops and building solar or wind farms is a land-hungry process, and the energy they deliver is often intermittent and hard to store.
Ultimately, when talking about environmental issue, we must address energy resources, consumption and our lifestyles and in the conversation we have to talk about transitioning away from fossil fuels. It would be a much better thing for all concerned if we ramped this conversation up way before it becomes a dire necessity. So, how soon is now? As many have asked, when are we going to stop arguing about if peak has passed, if warming is happening but what we are going to do?
Some Action Items!
Plant A Fish & students will grow mangroves on Florida's shorelines
Goals
To 're-plant' mangroves on Florida's shorelines
To educate & engage local communities & schools in marine conservation
To empower underserved youth & inspire next gen. of conservationists
To strengthen Florida's natural storm barriers & marine nurseries
Overview
Plant A Fish is a hands-on outdoor education and restoration experience developed by Fabien Cousteau, third-generation ocean explorer, documentary filmmaker and environmental ambassador. It empowers individuals to become involved with responsible 're-planting' of key marine species in distressed bodies of water.
In Florida, PAF will educate local communities and students from schools including South Plantation High to grow mangroves along shorelines. Mangroves serve as nurseries for sea creatures and barriers against storms and erosion. Regrettably, modern development has reduced mangroves at alarming rates.
PAF will:
Grow mangrove forests by 10,000 plants in 1st year
Instill community-driven, sustainable re-planting practices
Educate 1,250 underserved youth from 5 schools to improve their marine environment/inspire them to become the next generation of marine scientists and conservationists
Secure 25 million natl/regional press impressions for communities/schools