Ex-Colorado Sen. Hart leads charge to get Obama to act without Congress on climate change
Former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart, now a Wirth Chair professor at the University of Colorado-Denver, is part of a group of climate change policy experts urging President Barack Obama to act aggressively on the issue in the wake of the U.S. Senate giving up on passing a comprehensive climate change bill this session.
Hart, who also chairs the Presidential Climate Action Project (PCAP) National Advisory Committee, said on a conference call with reporters Thursday that the group has delivered a plan to key Obama administration officials in hopes of the president exercising his executive order powers ahead of a United Nations global climate summit in Cancun, Mexico, Nov. 29.
“Even though Congress has decided not to take action on this matter in this calendar year, the president is going to have to represent the United States of America before the court of public opinion,” Hart said. “We believe these actions in the form of executive orders and proclamations can demonstrate not only to Americans but to the world what leadership is.”
PCAP outlined Obama's aggressive course of action – a potentially risky short-term course ahead of critical mid-term elections for Democrats – in a five-point plan called “Plan B: Near-Term Presidential Actions For Energy & Environmental Leadership.”
While the U.S. House last summer narrowly passed a climate bill and just last week passed an energy reform and oil-spill cleanup package, the U.S. Senate has been gridlocked on both issues.
PCAP Executive Director William Becker said the first and perhaps most important part of the plan is getting the Obama administration to further empower states to continue to carry the day on climate issues. More than 30 states currently have renewable energy standards like the one Colorado adopted this past legislative session, calling for 30 percent of the state's electricity to come from renewable sources by the year 2020.
“Rather than curtailing or preempting state authority as some in Congress have proposed, we really need to support state leadership by, among other things, creating new incentives for states to lead under the programs that the administration controls,” Becker said.
Tom Peterson, president of the Center for Climate Strategies, said a recent analysis by his group concluded that if all 50 states adopted a package of certain key climate policies, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions could be cut to 27 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. Those reductions, the analysis found, would create 2.5 million new jobs and add $134 billion to the nation's GDP.
According to a release Thursday touting the PCAP report, these are the other four key areas Obama needs to take action on:
• Declare a “war on waste” to make America the most energy-efficient industrial economy in the world by 2035. During his presidential campaign, Obama cited a United Nations report ranking America 22nd in energy efficiency among the world's biggest economies.
• Push for a new national transportation policy that emphasizes low-carbon mobility choices, and start work on a national low-carbon standard for transportation fuels.
• Eliminate fossil-energy subsidies under the administration's control, including unnecessary research subsidies for fossil-energy industries and cut-rate leases and royalty fees for oil and gas companies.
• Include the restoration of local ecosystems in the administration's emerging climate adaptation strategy, re-establishing their ability to protect communities from flooding, heat waves, drought and other predicted impacts of climate change.
Terry Tamminen, former secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency and special advisor to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, said other states can and should follow California's lead on climate change issues. Colorado's renewable energy standard, for instance, is second only to California's goal of 33 percent by 2020.
“In California, we are 40 percent more energy efficient than the rest of the county,” Tamminen said, “and any of you who have been to California know that's not because we don't have our flat-panel TVs and Jacuzzis and air conditioners in the desert. It's because of measures that we've taken to make appliances and other uses of electricity much more efficient and to work with our utilities to incentivize conservation instead of just selling more electricity.”
David Orr, professor of environmental studies at Oberlin College, said there is a great deal of precedent for presidents using their executive order powers in times of national emergency, including Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression and George W. Bush in the wake of 9/11. Environmentally, he cited the 1970 formation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency based on an executive order by Richard Nixon.
“In our political system, presidential leadership is absolutely essential to move any large-scale change,” Orr said. “No one else really can do it. The president has the power of the bully pulpit and has the power to put a very specific program before Congress and before the American public, in this case through executive orders.”
50 Comments on "Ex-Colorado Sen. Hart leads charge to get Obama to act without Congress on climate change"
lepetiw688 – May 06, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
An fascinating discussion might be priced at comment. I believe that you simply write more about this topic, it will not be described as a taboo subject but usually everyone is insufficient to chat on such topics. To a higher. Cheers https://www.Ultraclub88.io
lepetiw688 – May 07, 2022, at 8:02 a.m.
I’ll right away clutch your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me recognise so that I may just subscribe. Thanks. https://guzaclub88.com It is really a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing. https://betflikdc.com
lepetiw688 – May 07, 2022, at 2:52 p.m.
Im no professional, but I believe you just crafted a very good point point. You definitely understand what youre talking about, and I can seriously get behind that. Thanks for staying so upfront and so truthful. 안전놀이터
lepetiw688 – May 08, 2022, at 2:07 p.m.
This web site seems to get a sizable ammount of visitors. How do you obtain visitors to this? It provides a good person twist on issues. I guess having something authentic or considerable to give information on is the most important element. india visa online
lepetiw688 – May 09, 2022, at 7:35 a.m.
An attention-grabbing discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this subject, it might not be a taboo topic however usually persons are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers 스웨디시
lepetiw688 – May 10, 2022, at 7:33 a.m.
The information you provided here are extremely precious. It been found a real pleasurable surprise to obtain that watching for me once i woke up today. They can be constantly to the issue as well as simple to be aware of. Thanks quite a bit for any valuable ideas you’ve got shared here. baywind residences showroom
lepetiw688 – May 10, 2022, at 1:51 p.m.
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include almost all important infos. I’d like to see more posts like this . https://hokkfinancememecoins.blogspot.com
lepetiw688 – May 11, 2022, at 12:09 p.m.
I dont usually post on many Blogs, still I simply needs to express gratitude continue the spectacular work. Ok unfortunately it’s once again time to get at school. VISA ĐẾN CANADA
lepetiw688 – May 14, 2022, at 9:23 a.m.
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox now if a comment is added I buy four emails with similar comment. Could there be that is you are able to eliminate me from that service? Thanks! Turkey Visa Application Online
lepetiw688 – May 16, 2022, at 6:32 a.m.
Me gustaría decir lo que una ayuda para encontrar a alguien que sabe realmente lo que son hablar acerca de internet. Definitivamente sabe consejos transmitir un problema a la luz y hacer importantes. Más individuos deben leer y comprender este aspecto de la historia. No puedo considero youre no más común porque tiene sin duda el regalo. Онлине апликација за визу за Турску
lepetiw688 – May 18, 2022, at 12:19 p.m.
Good post. I study one thing tougher on totally different blogs everyday. It can all the time be stimulating to learn content from different writers and observe a bit of something from their store. I’d favor to use some with the content material on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing. 카드현금화
lepetiw688 – May 21, 2022, at 1:13 p.m.
Nice post. I learn something harder on various blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to learn to read content using their company writers and use something from their store. I’d prefer to use some together with the content in my weblog whether or not you do not mind. Natually I’ll supply you with a link on your web blog. Thank you sharing. nolte games
lepetiw688 – May 24, 2022, at 6:57 a.m.
There is noticeably a lot of money to learn about this. I suppose you made certain nice points in functions also. 먹튀검증
lepetiw688 – May 25, 2022, at 7:53 a.m.
some genuinely prize articles on this website , saved to fav. 토토커뮤니티
lepetiw688 – May 25, 2022, at 1:15 p.m.
There is noticeably big money to comprehend this. I suppose you have made specific nice points in functions also. 먹튀폴리스
lepetiw688 – May 26, 2022, at 6:18 a.m.
Your blog never ceases to amaze me, it is very well written and organized.;-:~. 스웨디시구직
lepetiw688 – May 27, 2022, at 6:56 a.m.
I love blogging and i can say that you also love blogging.~,;.. 꽁머니 놀이터
lepetiw688 – May 28, 2022, at 11:08 a.m.
Good post. I study one thing more challenging on totally different blogs everyday. It is going to all the time be stimulating to learn content material from different writers and observe a bit of one thing from their store. I prefer to make use of some with the content material on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I provide you with a hyperlink in your web blog. Thanks for sharing. 다음드최신주소
lepetiw688 – May 29, 2022, at 6:32 a.m.
It’s excellent page, I was looking for something like this เว็บบาคาร่า
lepetiw688 – May 31, 2022, at 1:03 p.m.
well, i do believe in astrology and horoscope is the first part of the magazine that i always check~ วีซ่าเข้าอินเดีย
lepetiw688 – June 02, 2022, at 6:48 a.m.
Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a tremendous web site. 먹튀폴리스
lepetiw688 – June 05, 2022, at 4:57 a.m.
One of the more impressive blogs Ive seen. Thanks so much for keeping the internet classy for a change. Youve got style, class, bravado. I mean it. Please keep it up because without the internet is definitely lacking in intelligence. Pochon Weed
lepetiw688 – June 05, 2022, at 8:41 a.m.
Great stuff from you, man. Ive scan your stuff before and youre just too fantastic. I love what youve got here, love what youre saying and the way you say it. You make it entertaining and you still manage to keep it smart. I cant wait to scan more from you. This is really a great site. Tyrkia visumsøknad online
lepetiw688 – June 07, 2022, at 4:12 a.m.
I would like to voice my gratitude for your kindness in support of those people who really want guidance on this particular study. Your personal commitment to getting the message around appeared to be exceptionally informative and has usually encouraged individuals like me to arrive at their goals. Your new important guideline means a lot to me and further more to my fellow workers. Regards; from all of us. US Visa Online-ansøgning
lepetiw688 – June 08, 2022, at 5:40 a.m.
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and already each time a comment is added I receive four emails with similar comment. Perhaps there is however you possibly can eliminate me from that service? Thanks! 꽁머니 안전놀이터
lepetiw688 – June 09, 2022, at 4:35 a.m.
Deference to op , some superb selective information . Solicitud de visa de Canadá en línea
lepetiw688 – June 11, 2022, at 4:05 a.m.
Usually I don’t read this kind of stuff, but this was really interesting! Viagra 200mg
lepetiw688 – June 11, 2022, at 4:58 a.m.
Perfect just what I was searching for! . 먹튀검증
lepetiw688 – June 12, 2022, at 11:50 a.m.
You guide me by sharing this toolbox i face problem whenever i use this program after reading this blog i can easily use. 먹튀폴리스
lepetiw688 – June 13, 2022, at 6:00 a.m.
Wholesale Gucci Shoes Will be blogengine as good as wordpress blogs somehow? Is required to be because it is turning out to be popluar currently. [Reply] టర్కీ వీసా ఆన్లైన్
lepetiw688 – June 14, 2022, at 3:39 a.m.
I discovered your blog post site on google and appearance many of your early posts. Always maintain on the really good operate. I just now extra increase your Feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading much more within you down the road!… read click
lepetiw688 – June 15, 2022, at 4:50 a.m.
I like this blog very much so much superb info . luxury
lepetiw688 – June 15, 2022, at 5:46 a.m.
This is a proper blog for everyone who hopes to learn about this topic. You are aware of much its almost tricky to argue on hand (not that I really would want…HaHa). You actually put a brand new spin on a topic thats been discussed for some time. Great stuff, just excellent! 대출
lepetiw688 – June 15, 2022, at 8:39 a.m.
Thanks for another wonderful post. Where else could anybody get that type of info in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information. 土耳其签证申请表
lepetiw688 – June 16, 2022, at 6:25 a.m.
There are very lots of details that way to consider. This is a fantastic examine start up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly you’ll find questions just like the one you raise up where the most critical factor will likely be getting work done in honest very good faith. I don?t know if recommendations have emerged about items like that, but I know that a job is clearly referred to as a good game. Both children glance at the impact of only a moment’s pleasure, throughout their lives. 加拿大簽證申請
lepetiw688 – June 16, 2022, at 1:42 p.m.
I real delighted to find this site on bing, just what I was looking for : D also bookmarked . northern beaches air conditioning
lepetiw688 – June 17, 2022, at 7:07 a.m.
Great write-up. I am a normal visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a frequent visitor for a long time. acortar url
lepetiw688 – June 18, 2022, at 4:39 a.m.
The climax by far has the best parts of the film. https://wittycreators.in/
lepetiw688 – June 18, 2022, at 7:00 a.m.
Spot i’ll carry on with this write-up, I seriously think this web site wants much more consideration. I’ll probably be again to read a great deal more, thank you that info. hotels in tulum
lepetiw688 – June 18, 2022, at 7:48 a.m.
I read a lot of online articles and I’ve found that it’s hard to find quality writing. I’m so happy I found this article because it’s renews my faith in good writers. This is awesome! 陽痿治療
lepetiw688 – June 19, 2022, at 6:18 a.m.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon! FORMULARI DE SOL·LICITUD DE VISA DE NOVA ZELANDA
lepetiw688 – June 19, 2022, at 11:30 a.m.
I’d need to talk with you here. Which isn’t some thing It’s my job to do! I like reading a post that will get people to believe. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment! knowledgehub.me/nvr/
lepetiw688 – June 20, 2022, at 4:47 a.m.
Hello! I merely would like to give a large thumbs up for the great information you have here within this post. We are coming back to your website for more soon. กล้องวงจรปิด ยี่ห้อไหนดี
lepetiw688 – June 20, 2022, at 8:35 a.m.
I discovered your website website on bing and appearance a couple of your early posts. Preserve within the really good operate. I merely additional encourage Feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more by you down the line!… 300 win mag
lepetiw688 – June 21, 2022, at 3:29 a.m.
Some truly nice and useful info on this web site , as well I believe the design has got fantastic features. herbal empire spray
lepetiw688 – June 21, 2022, at 8:29 a.m.
Your current blogs normally possess a lot of really up to date info. Where do you come up with this? Just saying you are very inspiring. Thanks again Время прибытия в Канаду онлайн
lepetiw688 – June 22, 2022, at 11:37 a.m.
You really should be a part of a contest first of the most effective blogs over the internet. I am going to suggest this blog! divaglamour best classifieds website
Al Rafay consulting – June 24, 2022, at 7:59 a.m.
There are some dissertation web pages while using internet when you turn out to be obviously stated in your weblog. https://americanlifeguardassociation.com/
bnasd – April 04, 2023, at 6:00 a.m.
Your articles are inventive. I am looking forward to reading the plethora of articles that you have linked here. Thumbs up! НОВАЯ ЗЕЛАНДИЯ ВИЗА ОНЛАЙН
lepetiw688 – May 06, 2022, at 8:18 a.m.
I’m really loving the appearance/layout of this weblog – Gulvafslibning | Kurt Gulvmand , Will you actually face any browser interface problems… A number of our own visitors sometimes unhappy with my site not operating effectively in Internet Explorer but looks good inside Opera. Do you possess any advice to aid resolve this problem BTW how about Bahrain incredible news flash www.betflix686.com