...The Environmental Protection Agency will unveil a draft proposal on Monday to cut carbon pollution from the nation’s power plants 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, according to people briefed on the plan. The proposed rule amounts to the strongest action ever taken by the United States government to fight climate change. Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of the greenhouse gas emissions that scientists blame for trapping heat in the atmosphere and dangerously warming the planet. The rule could trigger a fundamental transformation of the nation’s energy systems – if it withstands an expected onslaught of legal and legislative attacks. In his first term, Mr. Obama tried but failed to push a sweeping climate change bill through Congress. But now, as many Republicans question the science of climate change, and even as many Democrats from coal-dependent states fear that a climate change bill could damage their economies, Mr. Obama is moving ahead on his own. He is using the executive authority under the 1970 Clean Air Act to issue the regulation. Under the proposal to be unveiled on Monday, states will be given a wide menu of policy options to achieve the pollution cuts. Rather than immediately shutting down coal plants, states will be allowed to reduce emissions by making changes across their electricity systems – by installing new wind and solar generation, energy-efficiency technology and by starting or joining state and regional “cap-and-trade” programs...
Words: 302 - Pages: 2
...Er W Er W Werw EASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration on Monday will roll out a plan to cut earth-warming pollution from power plants and 30 percent by 2030, setting in motion one of the most significant actions to address global warming in U.S. history. The rule, which is expected to be final next year, will set the first national limits on carbon dioxide, the chief gas linked to global warming from the nation's power plants. They are the largest source of greenhouse gases in the U.S., accounting for about a third of the annual emissions that make the U.S. the second largest contributor to global warming on the planet. The Environmental Protection Agency regulation is a centerpiece of President Barack Obama's plans to reduce the pollution linked to global warming, a step that the administration hopes will get other countries to act when negotiations on a new international treaty resume next year. Despite concluding in 2009 that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare, a finding that triggered their regulation under the 1970 Clean Air Act, it has taken years for the administration to take on the nation's fleet of power plants. In December 2010, the Obama administration announced a "modest pace" for setting greenhouse gas standards for power plants, setting a May 2012 deadline. Obama put them on the fast track last summer when he announced his climate action plan and a renewed commitment to climate change after the issue went dormant during his re-election...
Words: 820 - Pages: 4
...of Organizations | | Briefly define Obama’s climate-change bill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and what the Chamber’s position is on the bill in question and why. Obama’s climate-change bill focuses on decreasing greenhouse pollution, mainly carbon dioxide. He aspires to be a leader for the international community, and to prepare not only the U.S., but globally, the impact that global warming pollution will cause. In his combat against climate changes, he wants to limit how much carbon pollutions can be produced by large power plants in the U.S. by creating EPA limits, and to use clean energy, such as generating electricity through the usage of wind and solar energy. (Organizing for Action) The Chamber of Commerce acts as a voice for industries of all magnitudes. “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing the interest of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.” (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) The Chamber is against Obama’s climate change bill. Chamber president and CEO Thomas J. Donohue released the following statement on June 25, 2013 “The president’s plan runs a serious risk of punishing Americans with higher energy bills, fewer jobs, and a weaker economy, while delivering negligible benefit to the environment. (U.S. Chamber’s Donohue Comments on President’s Climate Change Proposals.) The Chamber feels that the benefits of this bill are...
Words: 818 - Pages: 4
...oppose the Keystone Pipeline Project and create awareness among the public about the negative impact that it can have on the environmentGoal2 – To persuade President Obama and Secretary Kerry to reject the proposal of the project | TACTICTactic 1 – Forming a unique blend of various state and national groups to strengthen the coalition Tactic 2- Creating awareness using paid media such as newspaper and television advertisementTactic3- Establishing a youth centered mobilization effort to boost the movement | Coalition 2 – Multistate coalition of general attorneys | Goal 1 – To highlight the benefits that the project will have on the nation’s economyGoal 2- To urge President Obama and Secretary Kerry to approve and pass the Keystone Pipeline Project | Tactic 1- Writing a petition to Secretary Kerry to issue a permit for the project by emphasizing its benefits such as increased employment and energy independence. | Coalition 3- Group of Oklahomans tribe members including Camp Horinek and Whitman | Goal 1 – To draw national attention to the negative impact the project would have on the environmentGoal 2- To preserve the sacred lands of the tribes that may be destroyed due to the commencement of the project. | Tactic 1 – Initiating a national rally starting from Canada and extending all the way to Oklahoma for climate justice and expressing opposition to the keystone pipeline project. | Coalition 4 – Tar Sands Blockade | Goal 1 – The core goal of these coalitions is to bring...
Words: 419 - Pages: 2
...Xx J. B. English 101 March 20, 2010 “Is Air Pollution a Belief?” Winter-Koger’s essay “What on Earth Are We Doing?” discusses many environmental problems, e.g.: ozone depletion, global warming, overpopulation, deforestation, air and water pollution, topsoil loss, and coral reef destruction. While it is difficult to isolate one problem to discuss, as they are all equally, important environmental problems; I have decided to research the effects of outdoor air pollution. I am interested particularly in whether the United States has made any positive changes for cleaner air, or added to the negative impacts on two of six different types of air pollution-ozone(smog) and particle pollution (particulate matter) since Winter-Koger’s essay (2004). Air pollution is one of the many environmental problems faced each day around the world. Man has always been a solid contributor to environmental pollution, a problem passed on from generation to generation. Air pollution is not a belief that one has; but a real problem that absolutely does exist. Many people have dedicated their lives to finding a solution to the detrimental effects of air pollution. And many people, unknowingly, and some ignorantly, have dedicated their lives to contributing to air pollution. To better understand the effects of air pollution, one must first understand the definition of air pollution and how it is caused. You may disagree and feel you know the definition of air pollution; but ask the person next...
Words: 1878 - Pages: 8
...“Adam Smith Meets Climate Change How the theory of moral sentiments could be applied to cap-and-trade greenhouse-gas emissions.” By Ian Ayres and Doug Kysar Slate, Posted Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at 11:53 AM ET Despite all the attention to domestic oil drilling, Obama and McCain are not that far apart on climate change—both candidates support a cap-and-trade system to limit U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions. And neither candidate has told us much about how they will get the rest of the world on the cap-and-trade bandwagon. That challenge deserves more focus—unless we can entice fast-growing emitters like China, India, and Brazil ! into a climate change treaty as full participants, even complete energ y independence in this country will be little consolation in a warming world. We think Adam Smith may have had a suggestion for how to think about this problem—and it's more than just an invisible hand. For 30 years now, officials have been groping toward a system in which greenhouse-gas emitters all around the world can trade permits. GHG reductions achieve the same global atmospheric benefit regardless of where they occur, but because industries and firms have different costs of reduction, it makes economic sense to allow them to trade permits. That way we can lower emissions for less money. But a crucial sticking point is figuring out how to initially allocate emissions permits among the various countries of the world. [PROPOSAL ONE:] Generally speaking, richer nations...
Words: 1307 - Pages: 6
...In delivering his State of the Union speech, President Barack Obama made a point to touch on nearly every relevant modern day political subject. Some of his most hard pressed issues included tax hikes on the wealthy, the expansion of publicly funded education to include two years of community college, and a call for cyber security measures well beyond anything enacted to date. Actually his new budget will provide an expanded tuition tax credit. After critical backlash from students, parents, and both partied, Barack Obama decided to drop his proposal that would have ended the popular 529 college savings accounts. Barack Obama stated, “In Iraq and Syria, American leadership, including our military power, is stopping ISIS’s advance.” This is half true, as the U.S. has built a coalition of counties, including Arab nations, with the goal of destroying the group, however ISIS continues to advance in Syria. Obama vowed to fight terrorism tactfully and justly, which might have gotten his most well rounded approval over the course of his hour-long speech. He also expressed intentions to improve diplomatic relations with Cuba/enact major trade agreements with Asian nations and the European Union and improve the state of childcare (for working families specifically) in the...
Words: 696 - Pages: 3
... Assignment: To Drill or Not to Drill? That Is the Question Throughout time we have seen the changes of use and misuse of our natural resources. Tapping into these sources have pros and cons. Now in the year 2011 we have serious concerns about our way of living, the planet, the wars. President Obama has pushed forward his agenda to free America from dependency on foreign oil and proposes that this will enhance America the great in many ways included the growth of new work opportunities. It is absolutely true that for any transformation we must see a wide spread revolution. Is the revolution part we all fear as it is a testing and difficult time we all must go through to be able to succeed in the end. We all know the energy we consume today is not renewable energy not to mention that the energy we consume causes many deaths via the current war. Today, we can see all of these changes happening from buying a Hybrid car to buildings powered by the solar system. We can see issues of other societies such as Spain trying to go green but have not been successful. The difference is that America has a democratic open to all politics as we work together collectively towards a successful self sustainable community. For some of us we making these changes can be a costly inconvenience but we must realize that we are investing in the future of our land for our children and our grandchildren. ...
Words: 601 - Pages: 3
...Five keys to a Livable Future Will the leaders answer the call? Will we act for the children? Are we able to save the universe? Background Climate change is one of the greatest dangers facing the planet. Due to human made green house gas emissions, from a decade to another global average temperature is increasing, sea level is rising, world hunger is increasing and super-storms spawned putting our present and future under a serious threat decreasing the possibility for our children and grandchildren for living in livable cities. At World Economic forum 2014 held in Davos on the 24th & 25th of January 2014, the climate change was at the top of the agenda. “In corporate boardrooms and the offices of CEOs, climate change is a real and present danger. It threatens to disrupt the water supplies and supply chains of companies as diverse as Coca-Cola and ExxonMobil. Rising sea levels and more intense storms put their infrastructure at risk, and the costs will only get worse,” Jim Yong Kim the President of World Bank said. Jim Yong Kim, the 12th President of World Bank called on the government leaders and Institutional investors for a serious act toward the climate change danger and climate mitigation and adaptation projects before it’s too late. “The leaders here in Davos, both from the private sector and from governments, have in their power to act in substantive ways. Now is the time to act for future generations before it is too late.” (Jim Yong Kim, 2014) Kim...
Words: 1420 - Pages: 6
...On January 12, 2016, President Barack Obama presented the State of the Union Address to the American people. In this speech, President Barack Obama spoke about many different issues. In this paper, I will review and evaluate President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address using the two checklists from Catherine Smith’s book entitled, Writing Public Policy. I will evaluate if President Obama’s speech addresses a specific audience about a specific problem, the purpose related to a specific policy action, that it represents authority accurately, uses the appropriate form and design for use. I will also review the clarity, correctness, conciseness and credibility of President Obama’s State of the Union Address. Features of Effectiveness President Obama’s State of the Union speech addressed a specific audience about specific problems. The audience is composed of Senators, Democrats, and Republicans. The President’s speech is the final report on the State of the Union. President Obama’s speech...
Words: 912 - Pages: 4
...Although President Obama had early requests for a bipartisan approach to health reform, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 passed with no Republican votes in either the House or the Senate. Strong criticism accompanied its passing, stating that the bill was “rammed through” the legislative process by the majority party, whereas the administration stressed the extensive, year-long debate over health reform and argued that the final bill represented a compromise of good ideas from both parties. I examine these conflicting claims, drawing on both books Heath Care Reform and American Politics by Lawrence R. Jacobs and Theda Skocpol, and Overreach by George C. Edwards III. My analysis proposes a more-nuanced balance between majority and minority party influence. I will also debate the nature of presidential power in the passing of this bill. In March 2010, Congress enacted and the President signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act- bringing to a close a year of active political debate over health reform, not to mention nearly a century of health reform efforts (Jacobs and Skocpol 2010). Critics claim that this bill was “rammed through” the legislative process by the Democratic majority party despite the minority party’s disapproval. Jacobs and Skocpol (2010) describe how “only Democrats were to be found among the 200 or so lawmakers in attendance at the bill signing” (pg.6). Along side this; Republican officials were filing lawsuits to proclaim parts...
Words: 1571 - Pages: 7
...Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a suite of commonsense requirements that together will help combat climate change, reduce air pollution that harms public health, and provide greater certainty about Clean Air Act permitting requirements for the oil and natural gas industry. The proposals are part of the agency’s broad-based strategy under the President’s Climate Action Plan to reduce emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane and smog-forming volatile organic compounds from this rapidly growing industry. The proposal will complement rules the agency issued in 2012 to reduce pollution from the oil and natural gas industry while helping ensure that development of these energy resources is safe and responsible. The World Health Organization defines air pollution as “the presence of material in the air in such concentration which are harmful to man and his environment.” In fact air pollution is the occurrence or addition of foreign particles, gases, and other pollutants into the air which have an adverse effect on human beings, animals, and vegetation. The various causes of air pollution are: combustion of natural gas, coal and wood in industries, automobiles, aircraft, railways, thermal plants, agricultural burning, kitchens, metallurgical processing (mineral dust, fumes containing fluorides, sulphides and metallic pollutants like lead, chromium, nickel, beryllium, arsenic vanadium, cadmium, zinc, mercury), processing industries like cotton textiles...
Words: 1736 - Pages: 7
...Environmental Protection in Congress The landscape of the Earth is constantly undergoing change. Whether due to natural disasters or human colonization of new areas, the planet we view through our eyes experiences a constant metamorphosis. However, the most drastic change may be one not visible to human eyes. Global warming, also known as the rapid acceleration of climate change through increasing global temperatures, has been an environmental issue since it was first predicted in 1970s by Stephen Schneider, while studying the effect of greenhouse gases and suspended particulate material on the climate for NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies for his post doctorate research. His article, “Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Aerosols: Effects of Large Increases on Global Climate”, was featured in the New York Times because of the consequences he listed in his paper, drawing national attention to the subject. However, despite the evidence compiled in his findings and those of various scientific research institutes such as the National Academy of Sciences of the United States and the Royal Society of Britain, global warming remains an issue that continues to be debated. In this paper, I will examine H.R. 1380: New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2011, a bill in the House of Representatives, to determine the fundamental issues it hopes to solve, its origins, and the chances of enactment. H.R. 1380 is a bill that faces considerable hardships due...
Words: 1958 - Pages: 8
...detection in the pipeline but, the system didn’t say there was a leak (Neuhauser). This Keystone Pipeline is more than a decade old and has had a recorded 35 leaks in the first year it was built and had a spill of 21,000 gallons in North Dakota (Neuhauser). Do you really want the Keystone XL Pipeline to be built as an addition to this Keystone Pipeline and create even more leaks? The Keystone XL Pipeline is doing more harm than good to the environment. Some people now think the pipeline could be environmentally damaging (Hughes). First, production of the oil- sands creates 17% more carbon pollution (Davenport). Also, the Pipeline will also result in the environmental impacts during construction and operation (Fletcher). It could cause climate change like rising sea levels, or extreme conditions like droughts, floods, and heat waves. The real problem could end up causing forest fires and animal extinction (Brecher, Smith). Additionally, the pipeline is crossing major rivers like, Missouri River, Red Rivers, and Yellowstone. Those rivers are keys sources of drinking water and water for agricultural water(Keystone XL pipeline). The forest in northern Canada has the world’s largest tar sands, but to produce one barrel of the crude oil from these tar sands requires strip mining of the Alberta forest (Davenport). Environmentalists oppose the Keystone project because of conduit to market for petroleum from the oil sands. The International Energy Association says, “up to two-thirds of fossil...
Words: 1261 - Pages: 6
...***AFF*** ***1AC*** Inherency – 1AC Contention one: Inherency The new FAA bill cut funding for the AIP, which will cripple our airport infrastructure – rapid investment is critical PRINCIPATO ‘12 - president, Airports Council International-North America; M.A. in International Relations from University of Chicago; International Trade and Transportation specialist, Hunton & Williams (Greg, “Why we should invest today in 'Airports Inc.'”. March. http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/labor/218525-faa-why-we-should-invest-today-in-airports-inc) With the latest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forecast predicting a doubling of passengers and cargo by 2030, the current funding system is not up to the job of ensuring airports will have the infrastructure they need to handle such dramatic increases in traffic. This will have far-reaching consequences. Commercial airports are powerful economic engines, generating 10.5 million jobs and $1.2 trillion for the U.S. economy, according to a new Airports Council International-North America study. Across the country, workers and businesses count on local airports to attract investment and move people and goods around the world. Since 2001, the total number of jobs associated with airports has increased by more than 50 percent. Despite unprecedented growth and clear evidence of the economic benefits of infrastructure investments, airports expect to have $80 billion in unmet needs through 2015 because of the flawed system...
Words: 41248 - Pages: 165
