Will Obama Punt Again on Climate Change?
Posted at 9:03 a.m. on Jan. 18
Americans waiting for President Obama to put Global Warming on the top of his domestic policy agenda may not want to hold their breath waiting for it to happen. At least that’s the conclusion of Andrew Restuccia, who says that in the fight for limited presidential attention, the climate might be the odd issue out: “Here’s the reality check for the green movement: Obama has proposed no new strategy on climate, it’s unclear if one is in the works, and there’s no guarantee the issue will occupy a major place in the inaugural address or next month’s State of the Union. On alternative energy, his administration has committed billions of dollars, but made headlines so far mostly for the bankruptcy of Solyndra. And the administration soon could turn its back on its allies in the environmental community and approve the Keystone pipeline. Between the constant fiscal crisis, the gun control debate and a looming immigration showdown, climate change runs the risk of landing on the permanent back burner.”
“Environmentalists are quick to praise what Obama has been able to accomplish in his first term, including his championing of green energy, EPA’s new rules on greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants, and a dramatic increase in vehicle fuel efficiency standards. Those steps will put at least a dent in the climate problem — and Obama has done enough for their cause that many green leaders are reluctant to trash him in public.”
