The Political Climate: an ongoing commentary on the NH Primary and Climate Change

The Senate passed a key bill yesterday which the New York Times called a “major defeat for car manufacturers”- we call it a victory for the environment.  The bill significantly raises fuel efficiency standards for the first time in twenty years from an average of 25 to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.  It also mandates an increase in the use of bio fuels.  Though it was a step toward reducing carbon emissions, two important proposals were dropped from the bill before its passing:  1) Increased taxation on oil companies that would have created major incentives for research into renewable technologies; and 2) a proposal requiring utility companies to increase their share of power from renewables.

This bill provided the presidential candidates who are now incumbent senators a major opportunity to strengthen their environmental voting record.  A ‘yea’ vote for this bill boosts fuel economy.  This is especially important in New Hampshire, a state where 33.3% of the population commutes to work outside of their resident community, higher than the national average.  (For the complete CEP report click here and go to ’US State Reports’)  That being said, here is how the candidates voted:

• Joe Biden, yea
• Sam Brownback, not voting
• Hillary Clinton, yea
• Chris Dodd, yea
• John McCain, not voting
• Barak Obama, yea

(For a complete voting record click here) 

Though 20 Republicans and 45 Democrats voted in favor, the two Republican Senators running for President did not vote.  We understand the time and energy that is needed to focus on fundraising and the campaign and make no assumptions about the two candidates absent from the vote.  That being said, it would be interesting to hear Senator Brownback and Senator McCain’s position on this issue and the bill.  We urge all of the candidates to clarify their positions on both the fuel efficiency standards and the provisions that failed.  Hopefully this won’t be the last time we see legislation about tax incentives for research and development of renewable energy sources.

Opening the editorial page of the Portsmouth Press Herald last Friday, we were excited to find an editorial urging all presidential candidates to ‘heed’ the Carbon Coalition.  The accomplishments of the Carbon Coalition and the issue of global climate change are increasingly penetrating both the mainstream media and the candidate discourse.  This spring 164 towns (along with nine New Hampshire newspaper endorsements) passed a climate change resolution.  We are grateful to the editors of the Herald for writing this piece and especially for including our challenge to all the candidates: implement and launch a comprehensive emissions-reduction policy that addresses climate change within 150 days of the election.

Below are the seven benchmarks that the Carbon Coalition feels must be addressed in order to produce a comprehensive climate action plan:

1) Legislation for economy-wide emissions reductions

2) Aggressive R&D for low-carbon energy technology

3) Federal planning for climate change impacts and response

4) Picking the right team to carry the initiative

5) Cooperation with international partners

6) Reallocation of budget priorities

7) Enable/encourage citizens to take efficiency and conservation in their own hands.

We look forward to hearing the candidates’ specific climate plans to meet our benchmarks.  We hope that they ‘heed’ the advice of the Herald and recognize the importance of global warming to the people of New Hampshire.

With high school graduations upon us, it’s not surprising that in New Hampshire commencement season combines with the spirit of the primary season. Yesterday, Senator Hillary Clinton was in the Granite State delivering the commencement address to Manchester Central High School’s class of 2007.  After overcoming her nerves about following past prestigious speakers such as comedian Adam Sandler, Clinton encouraged students to remember that “Global warming caused by pollution halfway around the world can affect our climate here at home.”  Global warming may seem like an atypical topic for a commencement address, but Clinton’s assertion seems appropriate for the youth of New Hampshire who will be most affected by climate change.  TPC commends Clinton on stressing the importance of global warming to our youth who, as Granite Staters, have the unique ability to discuss it with all of the candidates during the primary.

As Senator Clinton heads north today into the heart of the maple syrup country, perhaps she will notice some of these effects already taking place here at home in the Granite State.  Maine AP reported today that maple syrup production in NH is down 6% from last year along with record lows all over the New England region.  We can’t help but wonder if record temperatures and global warming has anything to do with these drastic changes.

 Far away from maple syrup country, Gov. Schwarzenegger continues to lead the charge against climate change.  Even after the recent steps made at the G8 Summit, this California governor says that “the federal government is asleep” in combating global warming.  He emphasized “We know we have global warming.  We know already we’re in danger … Let’s act now.”  To read more about Gov. Schwarzenegger’s comments, click here. 

Bill Richardson is out with another of his “job interview” tv spots. This one focuses on global warming and the progress made in New Mexico during his governorship. Why is this notable? Governor Richardson is now the second Democratic candidate (Dodd was the first) in the press- and poll-designated “second tier” to try to distinguish himself from the pack by touting his experience dealing with climate change. This is encouraging as it is an acknowledgement by the people with the most at stake (the candidate, his staff) that global warming is a crucial issue in the primary and one that allows their candidate to separate from a pack that agrees on so much (Iraq, immigration, etc.)

There is some interesting commentary on the web about Democrats and global warming. First, at the American Prospect’s blog, Ezra Klein talks about how Democrats’ unifying national security issue is global warming (it’s under the heading, “Energy for All.”) The NY Times is scathing in its assessement of congressional Democrats’ work on global warming, laying most of the blame on Michigan congressman John Dingell who is intent on protecting his constituency (i.e. the automotive industry) at the expense of real progress on global warming. Interestingly, they point to acid rain legislation during the first President Bush’s administration as a model for how to, if not bring Dingell around, at least encourage him to step aside. Of course, this echoes how the Acid Rain Resolution effort in 1983 was a precursor to the NH Climate Change Resolution effort this year. Hopefully Dingell’s congressional efforts will continue this parallel.