Energy Literacy Advocates Newsroom
Energy Literacy Advocates (ELA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public education and advocacy group dedicated to improving the energy literacy of all sectors of our democracy in order to empower a comprehensive national energy policy that is responsible and sustainable. Stay tuned for updated energy news!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Interior Secretary Salazar Reveals Department's Energy Agenda
Salazar cited offshore wind projects on the Atlantic coast as a key to meeting renewable energy goals in America.
Additionally, Salazar promised to review oil and gas exploration leases on public lands. So far this year, proposed tests to explore oil shale in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming have been sidelined by Interior Department rulings.
To read the full Associate Press release, click here.
Labels: election 2008, energy, energy sources, environment, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:34 AM
0 comments
Friday, February 13, 2009
Stimulus Compromise Bill Contains Renewable Measures
Additionally, the bill slates $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects such as wind or solar energy development.
This compromise version is under final debate in both the House and Senate.
To read a more in-depth report about renewable provisions within the bill, and some projected outcomes of the bill's impact, click here.
Labels: economy, election 2008, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:06 AM
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
L A Times: "Promise and Peril" of Energy Transition
"The stakes are high. If Obama succeeds, he could spark a domestic jobs boom and lead an international fight against climate change. If he fails, he could cripple existing industries and squeeze cash-strapped Americans with higher energy prices."
Comparing the efforts to transition America away from imported oil to the Manhattan Project and moon shot combined, the article offers an interesting comparison of the policy efforts to fast-track alternative energy in the U.S.
To read the article, click here.
Labels: election 2008, energy policy, energy sources, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 12:14 PM
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Monday, February 9, 2009
New Chair of House Energy Subcommittee Reveals Policy Goals
Citing staunch agreement with T. Boone Pickens, Markey is well-known as a champion for tougher vehicle fuel efficiency standards, a foe of nuclear power plants and has called for less generous royalty terms for oil production on federal lands. He has also supported a windfall tax for oil companies since the 1980s.
While Markey focused on energy-related parts of Congress’ economic stimulus package at CERA, he also indicated that massive climate change law is expected out of his committee this spring.
To read the full article and hear more about Markey and proposed energy policy, click here.
Labels: election 2008, energy, energy policy, environment, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 11:29 AM
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Energy Chair Speaks at National Clean Energy Conference
To watch the ten minute clip, click here.
Labels: election 2008, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:14 AM
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Obama Reaffirms Commitment to Energy at Inaugural
President Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to revamping America's energy policy during his inaugural message. The newly elected president emphasized America's legacy of determination and responsibility in confronting a myriad of crises.
Obama cited energy as part of the current crisis, remarking that "each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."
Citing the aggressive application of renewables in America's new energy portfolio, Obama said "We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories."
To access the full text of President Barack Obama's inaugural speech, courtesy of ABC News, please click here.
Labels: election 2008, energy policy, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 11:43 AM
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Monday, January 19, 2009
Search for Automotive Energy Solutions Likened to Race to the Moon
"I will play a keystone role in helping to craft the energy agenda," Salazar told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, according to Politico.com. "I would not have taken this job if I was not given the assignment to help craft the energy moon shot that we will take." While Salazar has conceded increased use of traditional fuels, including the expansion of oil shale and offshore drilling, he anticipates the era of the electric car and advanced hybrid batteries.
Meanwhile, Obama foresees change and sacrifice coming to the automotive industry. Obama met with the editorial board of the Washington Post and said the auto industry restructuring will require "everybody, from labor to management to creditors to shareholders, giving something up."
Policy watchers are anticipating a further unveiling of the new administration's energy plans during Obama's inaugural speech on Tuesday, January 20.
Labels: automakers, election 2008, energy policy, energy sources, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:17 AM
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Friday, January 16, 2009
Nominee Salazar Touts Energy Agenda as Secretary of the Interior
Salazar emphasized the need for a balanced yet innovative approach to energy issues, promising to consider numerous options for energy independence, including offshore oil drilling and, under the right conditions, oil shale development on government lands.
While offering moderation on points like offshore drilling, Salazar emphasized his aggressive stance on energy independence for America. Renewable energy development -- a cause he championed as senator -- remains a main goal for Salazar, who also promised a balanced approach to energy and land-use policy.
Labels: election 2008, energy policy, energy sources, environment, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:29 AM
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Confirmation Hearings Offer Continued Insights Into New Administration's Energy Plans
Chu continued to stress the dire consequences of global warming, warning that "dramatic, disruptive changes to our climate system in the lifetimes of our children and grandchildren" could occur if we fail to speed up efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. However, he softened his stance on using coal and nuclear power in America's future energy portfolio, and backed away from previous iterations on raising the gas tax.
To read the full Wall Street Journal report, click here.
Labels: election 2008, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:17 AM
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
USA Today Offers Peek at New Energy Secretary
Of prime concern in the energy picture is global warming. Chu began studying global warming a decade ago, and his since taught himself economics to understand various options to slow environmental degradation. Chu coauthored a 2007 report about energy that in part concluded: "What the world does in the coming decade will have enormous consequences that will last for centuries. It is imperative that we begin without further delay."
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: election 2008, energy policy, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:44 AM
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
President-Elect Obama Announces Energy Team
Carol Browner, a confidante of former Vice President Al Gore, will lead a White House council on energy and climate. Browner headed the Environmental Protection Agency in the Clinton administration. Nancy Sutley, a deputy Los Angeles mayor, will be chair of the White House Council on Environment Quality.
While these appointments have drawn inevitable criticism and praise, they reflect the President-elect's vow to "move beyond our oil addiction and create a new hybrid economy."
To access the full Associated Press release, click here.
Labels: election 2008, energy policy, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:25 AM
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Radical Change in Energy Department Predicted
Currently, the bulk of the $24 billion Deparment budget goes to mitigating issues surrounding nuclear weapons: maintaining the nation's nuclear weapons stockpiles, cleaning up sites used to produce those weapons, or dealing with non-proliferation issues. Only $4 billion is allocated for energy research and development, with only $650 million put towards renewable fuels.
While its role in supervising nuclear affairs will never be abandoned, the new agency is likely to reverse current spending trends, expanding the R&D budget, with particular focus on renewable fuels, while also focusing on greater conservation efforts. Additional agenda items will likely be laying out a role for the Department in curtailing greenhouse gas emissions.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: biofuels, election 2008, energy policy, energy sources, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:44 AM
0 comments
Friday, May 30, 2008
Searching for Precedence in Today's Energy Crisis
Then, as now, a weakening U.S. dollar placed upward pressure on oil prices, eventually leading to a quadrupling in cost. While attempts at government price controls on oil proved, historically, to be a particularly bad idea, Sieb cites two government steps which were effective: first, an increase in energy supplies, and secondly, policies aimed at reducing consumer demand. The 1970's saw the creation of Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards, which required auto makers to produce fleets that got better gas mileage. The standards required that new-car gas mileage, on average, double over the following decade. When combined with a national speed limit set at 55 miles-per-hour, CAFE standards helped lower demand for oil by 2 million barrels per day.
While energy transition is not simple or quick, improvements in America's energy portfolio combined with increased efficiency have proven historically useful in lessening a crisis. To read more about the policy precedents of the 1970's and potential contemporary applications, click here.
Labels: election 2008, energy policy, oil supply/demand, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:06 AM
0 comments
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Environmental Field Guide to the Presidential Candidates
Friday, Nov. 02, 2007
The Eco Vote
By Jeffrey Kluger
The most remarkable thing about the environmental debates taking place in this year's presidential campaign is that they're occurring at all. Once the stuff of a few hug-the-planet bromides in green states like Vermont and Oregon, the environment is one of the hot topics of the 2008 campaign. Yes, there are some candidates who haven't gotten the message (witness Fred Thompson's loopy joke that global warming is taking place on Mars and Jupiter too). But for voters shopping for a green Prez, it's all at once a buyer's market. Here's how the Big Six candidates shape up.
[Energy Literacy note - Each candidate provides their views on each of the following categories, in this order: 1)Carbon Caps, 2)Energy Efficiency, 3)Mileage, 4)Nuclear Energy, 5)Drilling]
HILLARY CLINTON
1) Supports cap-and-trade, allowing businesses to swap carbon credits. Seeks an 80% carbon cut by 2050
2) Seeks a 10% reduction in national energy use by 2020. Wants new federal buildings to be “zero emission” by 2030
3) Calls for raising gas-mileage (CAFE) standards to 35 m.p.g. within 10 years. Will use administrative power if Congress declines to act
4) Has not taken a strong position on nuclear power; calls herself “agnostic” on the topic
5) Has opposed drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and in the Atlantic
JOHN EDWARDS
1) Supports cap-and-trade beginning in 2010 and 80% reduction in carbon output by 2050
2) Wants 15% cut in energy use by 2018. Seeks efficiency standards for federal buildings and vehicles
3) Wants 40-m.p.g. national average to be achieved by 2016. Proposes $1 billion per year fund to stimulate innovations in fuel efficiency
4) Opposes expanded use of nuclear power. Worries about safety
5) Opposes drilling in ANWR and offshore. Voted against both while in the Senate
RUDY GIULIANI
1) Acknowledges global warming but rejects cap-and-trade. Has not proposed any specific carbon-reduction targets
2) Broadly approves of alternative-energy sources and improved efficiency, but has no specific proposals
3) Hasn’t called for specific changes in auto-mileage requirements. Not seen as likely to do so
4) Supports increased use of nuclear energy. His private firm has conducted security work for the nuclear industry
5) Supports drilling in the Gulf of Mexico as well as in ANWR. Has received heavy campaign contributions from oil and gas industries
JOHN MCCAIN
1) Co-sponsor of Senate cap-and-trade bill; seen as a bipartisan leader on the issue. Wants 65% reduction in carbon by 2050
2) Generally supports increased energy efficiency but has not announced specific targets
3) Calls generally for raising CAFE standards. In past has advocated 35 m.p.g.
4) Supports expanded use of nuclear energy. Advocates including it as part of a broad mix of nonpetroleum power sources
5) Opposes drilling in ANWR. Has consistently voted against it despite party pressure favoring expanded exploration
MITT ROMNEY
1) Would consider cap-and-trade only if part of a larger global plan
2) Generally supports improved efficiency but does not address the issue regularly and offers no targets
3) Would not support mileage goals as a stand-alone measure. Would consider them only if they were part of a comprehensive energy plan
4) Supports more use of nuclear power as part of energy mix
5) Supports drilling in ANWR and offshore and stresses the point in video on his campaign website
BARACK OBAMA
1) Supports cap-and-trade legislation and calls for an 80% carbon reduction by 2050
2) Stresses innovation as a means to improve efficiency. Calls for a 50% improvement by 2030
3) Has alternately called for 50 m.p.g. within 18 years or 1-m.p.g.-improvement per year rule. To ease transition, wants tax credits for automakers
4) Is willing to explore expanded use of nuclear power. Not an enthusiast
5) Opposes ANWR drilling. Missed 2007 Senate vote on drilling off the coast of Virginia
Conclusion
So who's the greenest in this red-blue scrum? For the GOP, it's McCain. For the Dems, a toss-up. But beyond the Big Six, there's a surprise seventh: Bill Richardson. The New Mexico Guv sets higher targets than the rest: a 90% cut in carbon by 2050; 50 m.p.g. by 2020. He would also slash oil imports 85% by 2025. Being a second-tier candidate may free him to take chances. Among green voters, that's a way to make it to the top tier.
Labels: election 2008, environment
posted by Jamie Lang at 2:38 PM
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Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Election 2008: The Candidates on Energy
Click here to view this interactive piece.
Labels: election 2008, energy policy
posted by Jamie Lang at 4:32 PM
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