As Congress begins August recess, those of us who care about America’s addiction to oil, climate change, and a clean energy future have been scratching our heads, wondering why, after historic levels of pressure we can’t even pass an oil spill response bill, not to mention a real clean energy or climate bill. When in … Read More
Separate Oil and State
“Trillions” to defend oil supply
Since the 1973 Arab oil embargo, successive US administrations have equated national security with access to, and control of, oil – particularly in the Persian Gulf, which holds two-thirds of global oil reserves. In other words, as long as we need oil, we need the Persian Gulf. Faced with this unpleasant fact, every President since … Read More
75 Per Cent of Oil Lobbyists Worked for Government
Talking to people about the Deepwater Horizon, often a response has been “how can something like that happen in the US.” Exactly that question is being forensically picked over by lawyers and Congressional investigators and the answers are increasingly looking unpalatable. But one thing for sure it could not happen without the raw power of … Read More
Oil and gas industry dollars fuel Gulf Coast politics
According to a report recently released by the National Institute on Money in State Politics, politicians in the Gulf of Mexico are awash in oil and gas industry contributions. Oil and gas companies, along with their owners and employees, gave $21.1 million to the campaigns for state elected officials between 2003 and 2008 in Alabama, … Read More
Congress continues to support oil industry
Twice in the last several days we’ve been reminded of the uphill struggle we face in the US to separate oil and state. First, on Tuesday, the US Senate actually defeated a proposal that would have eliminated some oil industry subsidies. Then, earlier today, Representative Joe Barton actually apologized to BP’s Tony Hayward for establishing … Read More
Lessons of the Gulf
BP’s Drilling Disaster is quickly unfolding to become one of the world’s worst ever environmental catastrophes. Credible sources already are saying that the volume of oil gushing into the Gulf exceeds the Exxon Valdez, and shockingly, there is no end in sight. As oil continues to gush into the Gulf of Mexico, as fisherman watch … Read More
Help Defeat Dingell “the Dinosaur”
Next week there is another crucial American election. OK – its not as important as the one ten days ago, but the outcome will have a huge bearing on Obama’s plans for energy, climate change, and how he tackles America’s ailing auto industry. The battle is for the Chairmanship of the powerful Energy and Commerce … Read More
7 of the “Dirty Dozen” Are Ousted Too…
In the tidal-wave of emotion and global reaction to Barack Obama’s historic win, it is easy to forget that it is not just the Presidency that was up for grabs in Tuesday’s election. There was great news elsewhere in the Congressional race, where at least seven of the League of Conservation Voters “Dirty Dozen” lawmakers … Read More
Dear President Elect …
Millions of people the world over will be inspired by your victory last night. After the deep divisive years of the Bush Administration the thought of change coming to America is not a day too soon. I know you are busy and won’t have time to read this, but I thought I would write anyway.. … Read More
McCain strikes oil money
This just in from the Public Campaign Action Fund via the Washington Post: Oil and gas industry executives and employees donated $1.1 million to McCain last month — three-quarters of which came after his June 16 speech calling for an end to the ban — compared with $116,000 in March, $283,000 in April and $208,000 … Read More