US house passes historic climate change bill

Barack "adding insult to injury" Obama

People can still deny the damage we do?!!? Are we that selfish and devoid of foresight to notice that humans' actions aren't for the Earth's best interest?!!? It's not an effing lefty conspiracy,... it's real, it's pretty obvious and it's about having sympathy for all Earthlings and preventing our early extinction.

It's all just part of the fucking global Marxist redistribution of wealth scam. How in the hell can the Osheep be so fucking stupid and naive as to buy into this shit? They even changed the fucking scam's name from "global warming" to "climate change" because there's a fucking ice age coming.

It's great to see that the US hasn't decided to rest on the outskirts of such a volatile topic forever. America really needs to be setting examples that the rest of the world can follow, because otherwise, no one will think otherwise and continue to pollute the planet!

I'm with krag2112, if this bill makes the extreme left and the extreme right upset that means it is probably just enough without being too much- good job Obama. Keep taking on these tough issues.

Here is an article onthe current cap and trade scheme.

http://discovermagazine.com/2008/dec/03-big-business-of-carbon-trading/?searchte...

well norway is sounding pretty good right about now...

I certainly understand the frustration being expressed by many of you. But if I could make one, small suggestion? For those of you who are ready to "call it quits" in terms of activism on these issues, you should know (and probably DO know deep down) that you will/would be doing EXACTLY what your opponents want you to do. This political tactic is as old as government...wearing people down with procedures and multiple amendments and delays...until any sane, reasonable person just says "the heck with it." That is when the smiling little bastards move in and take TOTAL control of the issue.

You may not get a gold medal or a gold star (or even a cookie) for all your hard work. But you DO have the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing the right thing AND that while they would never admit it, you ARE frustrating those who want a totally free hand to rape and pillage the environment and our planet's future for short-term gold.

I can't blame you if you give up...but I hope you will reconsider after a little time to catch your second (38th?) wind...

Silly Americans in these comments... always looking out for how much money they have to spend or how much sacrifice they have to make but never looking toward the big picture. We need to save the planet, so future generations at least have a half a chance. Not save your wallet, so you can order Starbucks tomorrow.

I don't see how anyone can only think about themselves and refuse to see how things could benefit all people.

maasanova;

I won't argue with you about the size of the bill, because I agree. It is a 1200 page behemoth that not even the average American could read and understand and more than likely most who voted didn't read. And they know that. And that is one of the reasons I am so completely disullusioned about all of this because as John Conyers admitted, they didn't read the Patriot Act either before they voted for it.

My main concerns are accountabilty and real action to stave off the effects of climate change which this bill does not give us. And as I stated, I tried to give the benefit of the doubt this time considering that there were those who claimed to see the moral imperative first working to get this passed. But now that I see it wasn't really that way, I'm done with having faith in anything but me and my ability to effect change on my own and through groups outside this bought and sold government that really care.

Jan I'm glad that you and I agree on many things, and we obviously have our history and disagreements on global "warming" and climate change but c'mon, 300 pages snuck in at 3AM? The Congress and the public not allowed to read the bill?Doesn't this sound link the phony "Patriot" act that wasn't about patriots, but for the persecution of Patriots?

I love the fact that the Congress can't stop wars, can't fix the economy, can't stop the torture, can't stop the police state, yet you somehow trust them to "fix" the environmental problems and stop the climate from changing or whatever. The "American Clean Energy and Security Act" is lifted directly from George Orwell. I would suggest that Jan, and the rest of you Obamanoids go back and read 1984 again.

Finally a positive, question is, will it work!

RT
www.anon-tools.tk

Yes, well I am for all jobs, but just saying the words 'creating jobs' doesn't mean they will all be good paying jobs or that it would happen now. And you are correct, jobs is not part of the big picture here when you consider the urgency of the Himalayas and the Arctic melting. Let's face it this was a special interests bill because solar and wind are not even the full focus of it as it should have been, and actually telling the people how infusing our markets now with solar would bring DOWN its price. Instead of infusing these markets NOW and making it accessible to all, nothing of real substance is going to happen for a few years yet, and we don't have that long to wait.That is why I think what we must have is better than this and it was totally doable if the people would have gone out into the streets here for this planet and our future like they did in Iran. And I for one do not intend to ever wait for politicians to truly care or work SINCERELY and with a moral purpose regarding our environment again. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt because of who was working outside regarding this, but again, disappointment. I simply do not believe it is possible as long as they are entrenched in the muck of greed and cronyism that is Washington DC.

And again my point is made.

When I see the people on here who have been so consistently wrong on issue after issue get all worked up and make their dire predictions...well, then you know this must be the right way to go.

Congratulations to Obama and Gore and all the lawmakers who voted for this. You're next Senators.

Pelosi, once again, is out of her mind. This is a job killing bill. After people get done paying the increased taxes as a result of this bill they will not be able to pay anything else, assuming they have a job after companies reduce their expenses to make room for this theft.

This bill was based on phony hysteria about global warming, outright lies. It will damage our economy even further.

The politicians that voted for this bill need to be tarred, feathered and rode out of town. The government and the carbon credit traders (That lying Al Gore among them) will profit from this. The rest of us will foot the bill. Those of you here that tout this as a panacea, how much rape of your life by this gangster government are you willing to tolerate? Do you love the Dems so much you are willing to lie down for this also? Fools.

Whats that i hear blowin in the wind? Is that change? Progress? Why yes, yes it is.

As to the absolutist leftists. It's wholly hypocritical to back better environmental regulations but not back this bill.

Well whatever, the bill has passed, and the senate will follow. Bravo to the lawmakers who voted in the affirmative.

Yes JohnA.

Because Obama and Obama alone is the reason that our Kids are in Massive debt.

It would have absolutely nothing to do with the ever increasing debts from War after War and our terrible policies towards education and healthcare which leave the nation losing billion upon billion each year.

Those have nothing to do with it, its entirely the fault of one black guy in politics.

You are smooth like various beer brands (if their commercials are correct).

Obama's already put all our debt on our children, we might as well leave the earth clean for them.

i like the promise of jobs but electric bills are gonna get bad. i hate policy based on this global warming bull

Get ready to grab your ankles folks! Here comes the rape stick!

We're all fucked, I don't even give a shit anymore. I hope something terrible happens like NOW.

We've got deniers on one side, environmentalists on the other, and greedy motherfuckers who are trying to make a little more cash fucking up the progress.

This bill will change nothing, NOTHING. I doubt many of us will live to see the "promised" 80%. I don't even see how 3% by 2012 is going to make a noticeable difference, We're still raping the Appalachians for coal, oh but it's clean right so it cool? FUCKING BULLSHIT. The Governator is talking about off shore drilling California, The Peruvian government is killing the natives for their land and what ever resources they hold, The FDA has allowed all of us to be exposed to High Fructose Corn Syrup, what the fuck are we doing to each other!

This isn't the world I used to imagine as a child, I couldn't wait to see everything, meet everyone, fucking LIVE!

Now I can't wait to buy some acreage and get the fuck out of dodge. I will welcome the bat shit craziness, dirt worshiping, days of raw, real life on a little eco-farm.

I remember being excited for once about something political, Obama's landslide victory. The word CHANGE meant something to me after that.

Now, I wished I hadn't voted. Not much has changed since Bush left other than the White house's occupants. Change means nothing anymore, we need to EVOLVE, we need to connect.

Maybe I just needed to vent...

In all of our selfish, "present" troubles,... our biggest problem got overlooked. Hopefully, we can all realize the big picture that needs to be fixed,... and stop expressing our greed. It's not the dramatic step we need,... but an effort is an effort. I just thought it kinda sad when Obama said this bill would "most importantly, create jobs". Most importantly?!!? Can we be that selfish that our wallets are more important than possible threats to the Earth?!!?

I'm glad that most people see this bill for what it truly is, another tool for the derivatives market. Also, as far as Obama talking to individual house reps, I hear he may be using the good old Bushy Pooh tactics of,"vote for this or forget about your funding for the up coming elections." He needs this to pass so he can gain momentum to try an pass his "killer" cuts to the health care system and then give the power of health care to the insurance companies. Now that's a "health care reform".

"4. EPA’s authority to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short- to medium-term is rescinded. It is our best defense against a new generation of coal power plants. There is no room for coal as a major energy source in a future with a stable climate." Dennis Kucinich (from above).

This is key. On NPR tonight they mentioned that if the bill did not pass that the EPA would still have the authority to implement the existing mandate. Perhaps that is the way to go, kill the whole thing and let the EPA take over. At least their definition of renewable energy does not include coal and nuclear.

I hope everyone will be so happy about this bill passing when they see their utilitiy and grocery bills double in a bad economy.

Continued:
Stearns (FL)
#13
Would exempt all electricity generated by nuclear power from a retail electric suppliers base amount.

Terry (NE)
#26
Would include reprocessed or recycled nuclear fuel in the definition of renewable energy source for the purposes of the RES.

Terry (NE)
#47
Would authorize $50 billion for title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58) in support of debt financing for nuclear power facility projects in the United States.

Terry (NE)
#48
Would state that Yucca Mountain Federal repository for waste from nuclear-powered generating must be fully funded or the government must begin rebating funds paid to establish a Federal nuclear waste repository.

Terry (NE)
#50
Would provide that any joint ownership or partnership with another qualified utility or public power entity does not disqualify new nuclear electric generation plants applying for loan guarantees under title VII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005

Our sick pro-nuke Representatives at work. Vote them out (especially Electric Schock. Look at # 99 and # 100). He's just carrying on in Ray LaHood's footsteps...(You can't trust Republican Catholics).

Here is the list of nuclear amdts submitted to the Rules Committee (Courtesy of our friends at NEIS). Full text can be found at http://www.rules.house.gov/amendments_to_energy.pdf.

Akin (MO)
#87
Would include existing nuclear power as a renewable energy resource under the combined efficiency and renewable electricity standard.

Barton (TX)
#214
Would include nuclear energy as a qualifying RES source.
Barton (TX)
#216
Would strike bill after enacting clause; replaces with American Energy Act.

Biggert (IL)
#119
Would add a new section to revise the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative.

Bilbray (CA)
#42
Revised Would establish a national renewable portfolio standard of 50 percent by 2025 and 70 percent by 2050. The amendment expands the definition of renewable fuels to include new and existing nuclear power plants.

Boehner (OH)
#40
Substitute Would strike all after the enacting clause and insert the text of H.R. 2846, the "American Energy Act," as introduced in the 111th Congress.

Broun (GA)
#153
Would make nuclear energy a renewable energy resource for the purposes of the RES and eliminate the exclusion from the RES baseline of electricity generated by nuclear.

Brown-Waite (FL)
#23
Would redefine "renewable energy" to include nuclear energy.

Fallin (OK)
#183
Would eliminate the application of Davis-Bacon to projects the advanced energy loan guarantee program established in the 2005 Energy Policy Act.

Fallin (OK)
#184
Would eliminate application of Davis-Bacon to the activities of the Corporation.

Forbes (VA)
#14
Substitute Would strike everything and insert the text of H.R. 513, the "New Manhattan Project for Energy Independence."

Halvorson (IL)
#117
Would define qualified nuclear uprates, made by energy efficiency upgrades at existing nuclear facilities, as a renewable energy resource for purposes of the Renewable Electricity Standard, and would subtract nuclear uprates from the baseline for purposes of the Renewable Electricity Standard.

Hill (IN)
#101
Would encourage the production of new nuclear energy and advanced nuclear technologies.

Marshall (GA)
#1
Would treat new nuclear power plants as a renewable energy source for the purpose of satisfying the legislation's renewable energy standard. It also would include any zero-emission electricity source, including nuclear power, in the legislation's definition of a renewable energy source.

Pingree (ME)/
Hodes (NH)/
Michaud (ME)/
Schrader (OR)/
Shea-Porter (NH)/
Welch (VT)/
Shuler (NC)
#114
Would establish a carbon incentives program to achieve supplemental greenhouse gas emissions reductions on private forestland.

Pitts (PA)
#28
Would define “renewable energy” for purposes of the RES in the bill, for a given State, as any form of energy that that State's renewable electricity standard law deems as “renewable” or “alternative."

Schock (IL)
#99
Would provide a streamlined regulatory process for approval of nuclear reactor construction and operating licenses. It also states it is U.S. policy to license 100 new nuclear reactors, or the megawatt equivalent, by 2030 if there are sufficient applicants.

Schock (IL)
#100
Would modify the Renewable Portfolio Standard to include nuclear power from facilities placed in service before January 1, 1992.

Sestak (PA)
#78
Would require the Energy Secretary to report to Congress on a study on the use of thorium-fueled nuclear reactors for national energy needs, including a response to the IAEA study entitled "Thorium fuel cycle - Potential benefits and challenges."

That's right. My husband and I have tried to recycle, use the least amount of energy as possible, build green, reuse water, grow our on vegetables, stay away from plastics and artifical garbage. We respect the earth. That is why he majored in environmental studies.
This is not something we take lightly. But making money off of struggling people who are trying to do their best is not the answer.

Yep...this bill is pretty much a joke.
Cap and trade is a joke fomented by the same Wall Street boneheads that helped bring this "recession" on.
It's been proven NOT to work by anybody who ISN'T tied in with Wall Street, but we get it anyway.

I heard on the Las Vegas, NV news that electric rates are going up.
Last minute provision stuck into a bill: Nevada Energy gets to raise rates because they are not seeing the revenue they predicted.
Hmmm...people try to save money, and the environment and what do they get?

It's always nice to see the extreme left and the ignorant right join together to complain about Obama. When he's pissing off such self important groups of people on both sides of the fence, you know he must be doing something right. Plus, if Gore himself was lobbying for it's passage, I've got to think it's a very good thing.

'Concerned over the bill's passage, the president made a direct plea to lawmakers in a public statement on Thursday. The next day, the White House went into full lobbying mode, deploying key cabinet officials to whip votes. Former Vice President Al Gore, was tapped to make phone calls to undecided lawmakers. It paid off: One by one, their targets came into the fold, from Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) to long-standing holdout Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)'

So when I hear one side complaining that it's not enough, and the other screaming that it's too much, it makes me think that maybe this particular porridge is just right.

If this passes we'll hear China cheering and putting on a huge fireworks display. They put a new coal fired electric plant up about 1 per week.
China and India are poluting the world and we poor workers(not corporations with their army of attorneys) will pay out the wazoo!
This is a UN bill. So we Americans pay for everything.

Friends of the Earth Statement On Passage Of Climate Bill

Friends of the Earth Statement on House Passage of American Clean Energy and Security Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder had the following statement in response to today’s passage of energy and climate legislation on a 219 to 212 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives:

“It’s a shame we can’t celebrate the passage of the first-ever bill intended to reduce global warming pollution. Unfortunately, big oil, dirty coal, corporate agribusiness, and Wall Street lobbyists neutered this bill and it now fails to deliver the transformational change that is needed. This bill will produce nowhere near the emissions reductions that are needed to solve global warming, and—astonishingly—it will eliminate existing EPA authority to fight pollution from coal-fired power plants. It will not put us on the path to a clean energy future, but it will lock us into a system that rewards polluters with massive giveaways and can be gamed by Wall Street; it is therefore likely to empower entrenched interests that stand in the way of progress.

“Despite the best efforts of environmentalist Reps. Henry Waxman and Ed Markey, the sad reality is that the House of Representatives remains so corrupted by special interests and special interest cronies—like Reps. Rick Boucher and Collin Peterson—that it is thwarting the will of the American people. Americans have indicated time and again that they support clean energy and want to protect our climate, and President Obama was elected on a promise to bring transformational change to this country, including a solution to global warming. Unfortunately, the President failed to boldly advocate such change as this bill moved through the House. He must be more vocal as this issue is debated in the Senate. With the future at stake, the Senate must produce a stronger bill.”
###
Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org) is the U.S. voice of the world’s largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 77 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has been at the forefront of high-profile efforts to create a more healthy, just world.

Think you have a hard time paying your utilities now?? Just wait untill you see how this bill affects you....

Dog and poney show is all it is, why not give out grants to put solar and wind power on residential homes?? Doesn't that sound more like a move for the people?? Nope, just more money in the pockets of big business....

This is the change you voted for too bad you did not think to pay attention to the facts during the campaign.....

We NEED a carbon tax (or as it should be called, fund) instead of cap and trade. A carbon fund that is revenue neutral would spur industry to look to invest in alternate energy faster which would spark demand which would make it cheaper without the need for a derivatives market that can be abused. I am not saying there should not be any bill or any accountablity. I am saying like Dennis Kucinich and organizations like Friends of the Earth and other environmentalists who are not looking at this from a purely political angle in regards to it that this needs to be stronger with more emphasis on reforestation and NO loopholes for big AG, coal companies, and nuclear. So actually, those now fearmongering here should be happy it passed. It will be a boon for the corporations Republicans love so much.

You're going to be charged by the mile, and green police are going break your arms for using too much electricity. Paying a Carbon Tax will come from this... and you'll all fucking hate it. Slaves.

This bill really needs to be stopped. Cap and Trade has been shown time and time again to not work. This bill will cause utility costs to rise, people will loose jobs, and will effect pretty much every product or service in the market. I really hope the senate stops the bill.

So we're going to ruin our economy to solve a problem we didn't create... great idea.

Continuation of Rep Kucinich's statement:

“There are several aspects of the bill that are problematic.

1. Overall targets are too weak. The bill is predicated on a target atmospheric concentration of 450 parts per million, a target that is arguably justified in the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, but which is already out of date. Recent science suggests 350 parts per million is necessary to help us avoid the worst effects of global warming.

2. The offsets undercut the emission reductions. Offsets allow polluters to keep polluting; they are rife with fraudulent claims of emissions reduction; they create environmental, social, and economic unintended adverse consequences; and they codify and endorse the idea that polluters do not have to make sacrifices to solve the problem.

3. It kicks the can down the road. By requiring the bulk of the emissions to be carried out in the long term and requiring few reductions in the short term, we are not only failing to take the action when it is needed to address rapid global warming, but we are assuming the long term targets will remain intact.

4. EPA’s authority to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short- to medium-term is rescinded. It is our best defense against a new generation of coal power plants. There is no room for coal as a major energy source in a future with a stable climate.

5. Nuclear power is given a lifeline instead of phasing it out. Nuclear power is far more expensive, has major safety issues including a near release in my own home state in 2002, and there is still no resolution to the waste problem. A recent study by Dr. Mark Cooper showed that it would cost $1.9 trillion to $4.1 trillion more over the life of 100 new nuclear reactors than to generate the same amount of electricity from energy efficiency and renewables.

6. Dirty Coal is given a lifeline instead of phasing it out. Coal-based energy destroys entire mountains, kills and injures workers at higher rates than most other occupations, decimates ecologically sensitive wetlands and streams, creates ponds of ash that are so toxic the Department of Homeland Security will not disclose their locations for fear of their potential to become a terrorist weapon, and fouls the air and water with sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulates, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and thousands of other toxic compounds that cause asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, and pulmonary and cardiac problems for starters. In contrast, several times more jobs are yielded by renewable energy investments than comparable coal investments.
_________
Rep. Kucinich was not even allowed to get his amendments heard. So much for Democratic dialogue regarding this bill.

Is this the bill that will rape us on new taxes in the name of saving the environment?

Is this the bill that is going to nickel and dime us to death when we buy gas, electricity or do anything a normal person does?

What a joke. What a scam.

Seriously, I want to know.

That bill is true 'Bling' as it's called in D.C. all for show. When watered down, sliced and diced, there will be nothing but the original bill's # left.