THE WEEK 01/15/15 By Michael Shank This year is quickly shaping up to be a banner year for action on climate change. And just in time. Last year was the hottest year on record. We also logged the highest global carbon emissions ever. This resulted in a slew of extreme […]
Energy
Is the Time Right for a Gas-Tax Hike?
NATIONAL JOURNAL 01/07/15 By Clare Foran (@ckmarie), Jason Plautz (@jason_plautz) and Ben Geman (@ben_geman) WHAT INSIDERS ARE SAYING IS THE TIME RIGHT FOR A GAS-TAX HIKE? As gas prices continue to fall, policy wonks are eyeing a potential increase in the federal gas tax. But will there be a political […]
Hottest Year on Record, 2014, Brings Economic Opportunity
HUFFINGTON POST 01/07/15 By Michael Shank and Julia Trezona Peek With 2014 weighing in as the hottest year on record, the window to mitigate global warming rapidly shrinks. It’s time to eliminate the debate that action on climate change will harm economic growth. Climate change, left unaddressed, will decimate our […]
Protecting America’s Clean Drinking Water
ROLL CALL 12/29/14 By Michael Shank and Rep Charles Rangel The causes and consequences of the hottest year on record, which is now shaping up to be 2014 according to the World Meteorological Organization and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are likely to have a lasting impact on New […]
We Can’t Let Climate Change Turn Droughts, Flash Floods and Mudslides into the New Normal
THE GUARDIAN 12/18/14 By Michael Shank and US Rep Mike Honda Holding out for winter rain or implementing short-term fixes won’t fix California’s water crisis. We need action on the state, federal and international level Between power outages, deluging rains, flash floods, mudslides and record droughts, California is quickly becoming […]
Climate Change is an Immediate Threat
DISCORS 12/09/14 By Michael Shank Before leaving office, President Barack Obama should seize every opportunity and lever at his disposal to propel the United States towards a more secure, sustainable future. America remains one of the top per-capita carbon emitters and unless we move aggressively we will miss our window […]
How Germans Go Green
US NEWS & WORLD REPORT 12/09/14 By Michael Shank and Johann Saathoff With the German government’s reaffirmation this month of carbon emissions reduction goals of 40 percent by 2020, and its courageous commitment to phase out coal, the country is now leading the world with an aggressive and unparalleled climate […]
Super Pollutants to Face Bipartisan Battle in Congress
HUFFINGTON POST 12/04/14 By Michael Shank and Rep Scott Peters This autumn was a significant time for climate action and raising awareness about climate change, featuring the massive People’s Climate March and the United Nations’ Climate Summit. Despite these events, Congress hasn’t acted. But there is an opportunity for Congress […]
Politically Wired Nonprofit Hooks Up U.S. Industry With Countries Seeking LNG
E&E 11/13/14 By Nick Juliano The ongoing domestic energy boom is fueling an alliance between representatives of U.S. companies that produce natural gas and foreign governments that want to purchase it, documents and interviews show. Intensified interest from foreign governments toward U.S. energy policy is one of the many outcomes […]
Will Obama Veto the Keystone XL Pipeline?
NATIONAL JOURNAL 11/10/14 By Clare Foran, Ben Geman and Jason Plautz WILL OBAMA VETO THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE? What political considerations will the president need to weigh in making his decision? If he approves, or rejects, the pipeline, what consequences will he face? “Since our Congress remains hobbled by the […]