Last week Senators Kerry (D-MA), Graham (R-SC), and Lieberman (I-CT) indicated they are working to introduce a comprehensive climate and energy bill as soon as possible. The trio generated much buzz after they gave a general description of the new approach to emissions reductions that will be included in their bill. While many key senators seemed open to the new proposal, others -- joined by members of the House -- launched new attacks on the Clean Air Act, gaining praise from Senator Murkowski (R-AK).

It's been a couple of big weeks for climate movement hero Van Jones. more »

Yesterday morning, while 1Sky supporters made thousands of phone calls to Senate offices showing their support for climate action, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) was busy introducing yet another measure to halt efforts to fight climate change under the Clean Air Act. His new bill (S.3072) would put a two-year freeze on the Clean Air Act enforcement that is needed to reduce global warming emissions from big polluters. Representatives Nick Rahall (D-WV), Alan Mollohan (D-WV), and Rick Boucher (D-VA) also introduced an identical bill (H.R.4753) in the House. The bills would not only prevent regulation of carbon emissions from big polluters, but would also prevent any research or planning relating to such emissions, dramatically blocking the road to a clean energy future.

This was the week of 72 Hours for Clean American Power. You probably heard about the massive call campaign from us, but lots of groups were a part of this effort, and several posted reports back from supporters who called. We also read more this week about green job efforts both ongoing and in the works. Finally, a friend of the climate change movement came out with a great video showing the growth of the movement in 2009. more »

We’re continuing our push on Senate offices this week with the movement-wide call-in campaign. The timing for 72 Hours for Clean American Power continues to be spot-on. Senator Lisa Murkowski continues to hammer away at the Clean Air Act's ability to regulate greenhouse gases. House members are also attacking the Clean Air Act. And Senate leaders like Lindsey Graham continue to toss around ideas for a bill structure and try to frame the debate. Your calls matter because they provide a real-time voice and feedback for what our Senate leaders need to hear: keep the Clean Air Act strong and pass bold, comprehensive clean energy legislation.

The largest call-in campaign ever organized by climate and environmental groups kicked off yesterday on Day One of the 72 Hours for Clean American Power campaign. 1Sky and dozens of our allies were busy spreading the word through email, social networks, and outreach to colleagues and supporters, with tens of thousands of people already placing their calls on the first day alone. Lines were intermittently busy and Capitol Hill voicemail filled up quickly throughout the day. A Hill staffer told the organizations involved, “We can’t get any calls out because so many others are calling in!” As a 1Sky caller mused on her busy signal: “I suppose they are getting too many calls. A good thing.”

Cross-posted from the Huffington Post

We are hearing lots of conflicting statements on the status of a comprehensive climate bill. Depending on who you read or listen to, it's either still a viable, passable solution in the Senate or it's dead in the water. It's easy to see why some people might have written off a comprehensive climate bill: the quagmire of the U.N. talks at Copenhagen and the delays in the Senate to combine legislation since September could lead one to believe that legislators really aren't concerned with a bill this year. more »

The Senate just passed a bipartisan jobs bill and health care returned to center stage in Washington. Debate heated up as Senator Murkowski's attack on the Clean Air Act gained both new support and new criticism. Also this week, a Senate climate trio including Senators Kerry, Graham, and Lieberman has reaffirmed their commitment to passing a climate bill this year, beginning with a draft bill.

1Sky and dozens of partners including Clean Energy Works are gearing up for a major call-in campaign taking place this week from March 2-4 asking senators to defeat Senator Murkowski's efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act and urging the Senate to pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. more »

With preparations underway for a massive, multi-organization calling initiative (72 Hours for Clean American Power), all eyes are on the Senate. This week the Senate-climate news online came in the good, the bad, and the… legislative. What we learned is that the climate bill's chances are not gone, but it seems that the Hummer is. more »

-- By William Becker, Executive Director at the Presidential Climate Action Project.

On Capitol Hill, the ship of state is so bereft of rudder and sail that the crew is jumping overboard. The latest to abandon ship is Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, who minced no words about the dysfunctional Congress he is choosing to leave.