In recent days, you may have read that the congressional democratic leadership has backed away from renewable energy by dropping from the current energy bill the renewable portfolio standard (RPS)Â and tax incentives for solar and wind energy. At a time when renewable energy industries are gaining momentum, this is exactly the wrong time to delete the RPS and tax incentives.
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50527
While renewable energy groups and individuals supportive of renewables have contacted Reid's and Pelosi's offices in large numbers, the actual outcome of the energy bill is still uncertain. The issue is said to be not one of democrats' support for renewable energy, but (as usual) whether democrats have to votes to override a veto. The Bush administration reportedly will support a more modest RPS and a lower fuel efficiency standard, but will not support tax incentives if those incentives are redistributed from the fossil fuels.
Renewable energy advocates feel that the democratic leadership should not be caving in on this issue, given that there are a large number of republicans in favor of renewables as well. So far, the outcome of the final bill is uncertain, but by simply trying to get anything passed, the democrats once again appear to be spineless before a president, who enjoys a 25% approval rating. You'd think they'd have learned better by now.
If you want to call your senators/representatives about supporting the renewable portfolio standard and tax incentives for renewable energy, this link will assist you:
http://capwiz.com/re-action/callalert/index.tt?alertid=10534241&type=CO
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Comments: 17
In wanting to make headway with a sensible Energy Bill, the Democrats in Congress choose to tack along the headwind coming from the Whitehouse and the Republicans in the Senate rather than steer directly into it and get nowhere. It allows positive direction given the Current Conditions. When the wind shifts with a greater Senate Majority, the Democrats will make greater positive distance with sensible Energy legislation, among others, including the Renewables that will not be threatened by Veto of the Next President.
Where they 'really stand on the issue' is properly reading the reality of the conditions and balancing that with the current needs of providing positive gain in Energy Policy.
That part makes them look 'spineless' especially in dealing with the President Weasle.
Or makes them appear to be blowing in the wind while actually they are making headway...
You see, being even keeled allows for counter balance of prevailing forces and the designed shape of the sails allow the oncoming wind to actually be used to gain net positive direction... (it works like an airplain wing, in fact, that provides lift in the upward direction due to its curved shape).
So, Yes Kay, The Democrats are doing what they can to get a sensible Energy Bill started in the positive direction given the reality of the current conditions. Given the changing up-coming conditions, a greater angle of attack can be taken at that time...
I hope that helped you ;)
Best,
DJE
Clinton was Clinton and Bush was Bush... You cannot compare the individual nor their presidencies that easily... Drawing the comparison with each one's relationship with the congress they had really doesn't say much..
Congress, the system, is broken and needs to get fixed...
Congress has a lower approval rate than the Presidency in general and there are several reasons for that... so making that comparison as well is not entirely genuine...
Given the low approval rating of the Current Congress, The Republicans in Congress have a still lower Approval Rating...
I am not speaking about the broken nature of the System, I am speaking about this current issue given the current conditions....
The Republicans have performed extremely poorly.
Given these current conditions, Gaining some positive Results now where possible and moving ahead with more latter when the conditions improve makes sense.
The style of your first question above is an example of the reason I said "eh, Okee Dokee there..." in the first place...
It's that sticky webby feel that makes it better to say "ok, if you say so..." , smile, and just move on...
:)
;)
You too! :)
I think that there have been some good comments that are not mutually exclusive... the democrats could do a better job being loud about this, but then again they are trying to actually get something done in the present climate with the president we have and percentages they have.
I'm concerned however if they aren't able to make the case for who is responsible for things not getting done - the fall out will be on them next year. It is about the 'spin' that is put on the outcome - and some are better at spin than others!
Inclusion of Renewables in Energy Bill Receives New Political Support
Sorry I have been away and could not respond to your appreciated comments on this article. I tend to agree with Kay, though I understand the logic of David's comments. I think it's really important to highlight the choices we have to make re: these issues. Those choices are going to essentially be between renewables and nuclear - the sun or the atom - and we are presently in process of making those decisions. With nuclear lobbyists sneaking provisions for $50 billion federal loan guarantees for new nuclear plants into the energy bill, dropping support for renewables is unconscionable. Putting pressure on democrats may be helping - so continue to make those calls - and thanks for doing so.
Ten unsolicited points from the world's worst connection. Merry whatever you celebrate!