congressional dysfunction Archives

congressional dysfunction

Is Bipartisanship Possible?

An image of the U.S. Capitol Building in the evening.

It’s not easy in today’s polarized politics. But maybe it’s not completely off the table.

We are now, as so often, in a time of divided government. That makes bipartisan cooperation necessary. We are also in a time of hyper-partisanship. The problem may be compounded by the concessions made by McCarthy to the far Right in order to become Speaker. Nevertheless, there may be some opportunities for cooperation across party …

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On the Frustrations of Climate Politics

It’s not just the shortcomings of Joe Manchin. Climate legislation is an inherently tough political challenge.

Yesterday, Joe Manchin announced that he couldn’t support the Build Back Better reconciliation bill. Unless Biden can somehow coax him back to the negotiating table, that dooms what would have been a major breakthrough in climate policy. Manchin bears responsibility for this deeply regrettable decision. But climate legislation is hard, even in more favorable political …

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Bringing Back Earmarks to Save the Climate

Climate action will require overcoming the US democracy deficit.

The U.S. has a democracy deficit. Winning national majorities isn’t enough to get majorities in Congress. This creates headwinds against climate action. In the short-run at least, legislative earmarks might be one way to overcome the problem. The House is already planning to bring back earmarks, but the the heart of the problem is the …

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Congressional Dim Bulbs at Work Again

The House of Representatives is continuing its campaign to increase electricity bills, harm a domestic industry, and create regulatory uncertainty. According to E&E, the House appropriations bill “Eliminating funding for light bulb efficiency standards is especially poor policy as it would leave the policy in place but make it impossible to enforce, undercutting domestic manufacturers …

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The IPCC Should Just Say 1.5 C is Dead

The big takeaway from the IPCC’s latest report is that we’re still falling behind and must do hard things to catch up. It’s time to communicate that differently.

Cleanup On Aisle NIMBY!!

The California Legislature’s new duplex bill shows that lawmakers have had it with resistance to housing.

How Should We Implement the New Federal Climate Laws?

An upcoming symposium by the Emmett Institute will explore the key climate impacts of IIJA and the IRA and unpack some of the obstacles and controversies around their implementation.

Lobster Wars

An industry lawsuit against Monterey Aquarium is a blatant assault on free speech.

Critical Native American Water Rights Cases Come Before the Supreme Court: Arizona v. Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation Has the Equities on Its Side, But the U.S. Department of the Interior May Well Have the Law in Its Favor

Stakeholder Engagement in California Offshore Wind Development

State leaders have an opportunity to forge a national example on stakeholder engagement and energy justice.

How Garden-Variety Air Pollution Regulation Promotes Environmental Justice

Cleaning up our nation’s air benefits the disadvantaged most of all.

CEQA, California’s Housing Crisis & the Little Hoover Commission

State Watchdog Agency’s Scheduled CEQA Hearings Could Prompt Major Changes to California’s Most Important Environmental Law

Why the Bay Area’s Zero-Emission Appliance Rule is a Big Deal

BAAQMD’s trailblazing rule will ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters to combat nitrogen oxide pollution. It marks a big victory for public health and the planet.

How Do You Solve A Problem Like A Lawless Judge?

Some counsel for the Justice Department from The Great One.

Did Biden have to approve the Willow oil project?

ConocoPhillips has existing lease rights. But the Biden administration had tools to curtail those rights to limit harms.

Should There Be a ‘Non-Use’ Agreement on Solar Geoengineering?

Why I signed the call for a non-use agreement, and what that might mean for research.

Deregulation, Normal Accidents, and the Airborne Toxic Event

What can we learn from the East Palestine train wreck?

Good News from the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Earlier this month, Minnesota adopted a bold new clean energy plan.

How Do You Solve A Problem Like A Lawless Judge?

Some counsel for the Justice Department from The Great One.

CEQA and UC Berkeley Housing: Don’t Panic

The decision blocking student housing hardly represents new NIMBY weaponization.

Why the Bay Area’s Zero-Emission Appliance Rule is a Big Deal

BAAQMD’s trailblazing rule will ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters to combat nitrogen oxide pollution. It marks a big victory for public health and the planet.

Wetlands Regulation in the Political Swamp

The Congressional Review Act remains bad for policy and worse for democratic deliberation.

CEQA, California’s Housing Crisis & the Little Hoover Commission

State Watchdog Agency’s Scheduled CEQA Hearings Could Prompt Major Changes to California’s Most Important Environmental Law

Unraveling LA’s Hydrogen Combustion Experiment

Combusting hydrogen could keep natural gas plants online, but they won’t be “green” for years––if ever.

congressional dysfunction

It’s not easy in today’s polarized politics. But maybe it’s not completely off the table.

It’s not just the shortcomings of Joe Manchin. Climate legislation is an inherently tough political challenge.

Climate action will require overcoming the US democracy deficit.

TRENDING

The big takeaway from the IPCC’s latest report is that we’re still falling behind and must do hard things to catch up. It’s time to communicate that differently.

The California Legislature’s new duplex bill shows that lawmakers have had it with resistance to housing.

An upcoming symposium by the Emmett Institute will explore the key climate impacts of IIJA and the IRA and unpack some of the obstacles and controversies around their implementation.

An industry lawsuit against Monterey Aquarium is a blatant assault on free speech.

The Navajo Nation Has the Equities on Its Side, But the U.S. Department of the Interior May Well Have the Law in Its Favor

State leaders have an opportunity to forge a national example on stakeholder engagement and energy justice.

Cleaning up our nation’s air benefits the disadvantaged most of all.

State Watchdog Agency’s Scheduled CEQA Hearings Could Prompt Major Changes to California’s Most Important Environmental Law

BAAQMD’s trailblazing rule will ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters to combat nitrogen oxide pollution. It marks a big victory for public health and the planet.

Some counsel for the Justice Department from The Great One.

ConocoPhillips has existing lease rights. But the Biden administration had tools to curtail those rights to limit harms.

Why I signed the call for a non-use agreement, and what that might mean for research.

What can we learn from the East Palestine train wreck?

Earlier this month, Minnesota adopted a bold new clean energy plan.

Some counsel for the Justice Department from The Great One.

The decision blocking student housing hardly represents new NIMBY weaponization.

BAAQMD’s trailblazing rule will ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters to combat nitrogen oxide pollution. It marks a big victory for public health and the planet.

The Congressional Review Act remains bad for policy and worse for democratic deliberation.

State Watchdog Agency’s Scheduled CEQA Hearings Could Prompt Major Changes to California’s Most Important Environmental Law

Combusting hydrogen could keep natural gas plants online, but they won’t be “green” for years––if ever.