Articles by Kate Sheppard

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso delays confirmation of EPA chief

Senate confirmation of President Barack Obama's pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa Jackson, has been delayed, and it's not clear when we might see movement.

No senators are publicly questioning Jackson's qualifications, but Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.) has raised concerns that Obama's climate and energy adviser, Carol Browner, might exert too much control over the EPA. Browner's position is a new one that doesn't require Senate confirmation.

Barrasso's spokesperson tells the Washington Wire blog that the senator asked for Jackson's name to be taken off a list of cabinet nominees slated for expedited consideration. Barrasso wants more time to review confirmation-hearing transcripts and Jackson's written answers to questions the senator posed.

Democrats had wanted to wrap up this confirmation swiftly, so they skipped a vote in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and tried to get a full Senate vote. On Thursday afternoon, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) moved on the Senate floor to unanimously confirm both Jackson and Nancy Sutley, the nominee to head the White House Council on Environmental Quality, but Senate Republicans objected.

Last week, at Jackson's confirmation hearing before the Environment and Public Works Committee, Barrasso asked, "Who will ultimately make final EPA decisions?"

Gore to bring climate message to Senate next Wednesday

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) promised last week that his first hearing as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee would be on climate change. Today he announced that the key witness at that hearing, to be held on Jan. 28, will be the environmental policy lobby's mega-star -- the one and only Al Gore:

"My friend and former Senate colleague Al Gore is one of this nation's leading authorities on the subject of climate change, and we are honored that he has agreed to appear before the Committee," Kerry said in a statement.

"Al Gore has been sounding the alarm on climate change for over three decades, and he understands the urgent need for American engagement and leadership on this issue. America must act decisively in order for the nations of the world to reach agreement on a climate change treaty at the December 2009 meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark. The timeline is short for us to respond to the threat of climate change, and this hearing will examine what America must do to lead the world in crafting a truly global solution."

Transportation Secretary appointee LaHood appears before Senate panel

Former Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), Obama's pick for Secretary of Transportation, on Wednesday didn't reveal much about how he will handle his new job when he appeared before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, but he did make the explicit connection between transportation issues and climate change and sustainability.

"We must acknowledge the new reality of climate change. This has implications in all areas," LaHood told the senators. "The inner-city, rail and mass-transit funding in the economic recovery plan are a part of the equation, but only a part."

LaHood said there will be four focus areas for his work: safety, the economy, sustainability and livability. Transportation programs should be designed to create jobs and improve the lives and safety of citizens he said, and there must be an eye toward the long-term needs of the country.

"Sustainability must permeate all we do, from highways and transit to aviation and ports. President Obama is committed to this principle, and so am I," he said.

LaHood said that raising automobile fuel efficiency standards will be "one way for us to really overcome some of the pollution that exists around the country." Tighter standards, he said, should "be a part of the overall plan here to eliminate pollution, the greening of America, and getting the American car manufacturers in the game here with the reality that they need to be producing American cars that get much better standards."

Asked about his support for Amtrak, LaHood pledged to work with Congress to implement the funding bill that approved last year. "I think it's the way forward to get us as comprehensive as we can an Amtrak system in this country," said LaHood. "During my 14 years in Congress, in the House, I had been a strong supporter of Amtrak. It's the lifeblood for many, many communities around the country, and I will work with all of you to implement the Amtrak bill. I think it's a good bill."

He was also asked for his ideas on how to replenish the Highway Trust Fund, which was has been nearly depleted as a spike in gas prices through much of 2008 prompted Americans to drive less. He mentioned putting tolls on new highways and new lanes, and on bridges, as possible solutions, and said that relying on a gas tax will not be enough.

"We need to think about these things differently than just the gasoline tax," said LaHood. "We know that Amtrak ridership is still way up even though gasoline prices have come down. We know, in places like Chicago, that people are still using a lot of mass transit even though gasoline prices have come down."

"People are still going to drive, but the resources to pay for it, through the Trust Fund, is a dinosaur, if you'll excuse the expression," continued LaHood. "It was developed when Eisenhower and the Congress came up with the idea of developing an interstate system. We've come far afield of that now."

will.i.am debuts climate change song

Apparently while I was chasing famous people at Monday's green ball, will.i.am debuted a new song about climate change called "Take Our Planet Back." Here's the video: