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).

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.

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 »

Members of Congress were on recess last week. 1Sky organizers all over the country showed up at in-state events to ask members of Congress to support strong climate legislation and defend the Clean Air Act. In the meantime, the Obama administration announced funding for new nuclear reactors, attacks on the Clean Air Act continue, and health care reform got some new momentum with several senators pushing to pass a public option through a process that requires only 51 votes. This week, the Senate is also poised to vote on a jobs bill. more »

From guest blogger Kristen Sheeran, director of Economics for Equity and the Environment Network (E3), a nationwide network of more than 150 economists, developing new arguments for environmental protection with a social justice focus.

There is no argument that job creation should be the top priority of the Obama administration. Many economists believe that due to the global downturn, the U.S. will experience high rates of unemployment for a number of years to come. But there is no evidence that solving the climate crisis will compromise job creation.

Everything in the nation's capital took a backseat to two major snowstorms that dumped over 32 inches of snow on DC last week. Congress fell behind and climate deniers took advantage of the storm to stir up baseless controversy. Momentum is still building behind a much-anticipated Senate jobs bill, but members of Congress are home this week for the President's Day Recess, and won't take it up until February 22. Throughout this week 1Sky organizers and volunteers will be out in force talking face-to-face with their representatives and senators about protecting the Clean Air Act and passing a comprehensive climate and energy bill this year.

The DC metro area was slammed with over two feet of snow over the weekend. The federal government is closed today, but the show must go on… climate change won’t wait!

Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) are still working to craft a bill that will attract 60 votes. more »

Last night, I went to hear what President Obama had to say at a Gen44 event organized by the Democratic National Committee (note that I took time off from 1Sky to attend the event because 1Sky is a 501(c)(3) organization and we can’t -- and don’t -- do any electoral work).

Anyway, I happened to catch President Obama on a rope line and decided on the fly to challenge him on the mythology of clean coal since our base has been so concerned about his repeated calls for clean coal (and nuclear and oil drilling) alongside real renewable energy solutions. My partner Louis captured the exchange on his iPhone.

Here is what happened and a transcript as best as I can put it together since the audio isn’t great, especially on my voice -- although Obama comes through loud and clear and we have our work cut out for us!

Climate legislation and clean energy jobs remain on the agenda of the Obama Administration and Congress. Despite recent attacks on the Clean Air Act, and defensive posturing from moderate members of Congress, momentum remains for passing legislation that will create clean energy jobs and begin to tackle the climate crisis. more »

As the ultimate fate of health care reform is debated while key senators continue to push for a climate bill this year, an important new study released last week highlights the connection between strong climate policy and public health:

The benefits of improved air quality resulting from climate change mitigation policies are likely to outweigh the near-term costs of implementing those policies, according to a new study.

Coming on the heels of the international climate talks in Copenhagen and a proposal earlier this month by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to tighten smog standards, new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that climate change policies should be assessed on the basis of potential benefits as well as initial costs.