US President Obama was given a B+ for his clean energy and global warming accomplishments during his first year in office, by the League of Conservation Voters (LCVs).
The LCV's Presidentail Report Card provides a grade based on analysis of cabinet and other
high-level appointments, executive orders and other administration
efforts and legislative actions in Congress. While President Obama has
taken action on numerous important environmental and public health
issues, LCV's report focuses exclusively on energy and global warming
measures, given the urgency of solving the climate crisis and building
a clean energy economy.
In comparison, George W. Bush received a D-
for his first year in office and Bill Clinton received a C+.
Highlights of Obama's report card include:
- Playing a leadership role in the House of Representatives passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
- Granting California’s waiver to impose stricter vehicle tailpipe
emissions standards and proposing nationwide emission standards.
- Finding that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose a danger to
public health and welfare, as determined by the Environmental
Protection Agency.
- Pushing for the single largest investment
in clean energy in history--more than $80 billion for energy
efficiency, renewable energy, public transit and clean energy jobs in
the economic recovery package.
“President Obama has done more to create new clean energy jobs and curb global warming pollution during his first year than any other president has accomplished during an entire term,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski. “We applaud his solid B+ grade and look forward to working with him in 2010 to complete his most important unfinished business: passing comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation.”
Massachusetts Loss
But passing climate change legislation just got a whole lot tougher, as Democrats lost one of two Massachusetts Senate seats yesterday in a special election to replace Edward Kennedy, who died last year. Scott Brown become the first Republican to be elected to the Senate from Massachusetts since 1972.
Read New York Times coverage at the link below: "Sen.-Elect Brown's Win Adds More Question Marks to Senate Climate Debate"
