Tweet

The Foxes in the Henhouse: Republicans in Charge of Climate and Energy Committees

Guest post by: Richard Matthews

Article Overview: Republican gains in the House of Representatives has empowered Republicans to take over several key committees dealing with energy and climate issues.

The Foxes in the Henhouse: Republicans in Charge of Climate and Energy Committees

Republican midterm gains in Congress have resulted in a shift that has empowered the GOP and crushed hopes for climate and energy legislation. In the House of Representatives, Republicans are getting ready to take control of several powerful committees that have a direct impact on energy and the environment. Five Republicans stand to gain in particular: Fred Upton, Joe Barton, Doc Hastings, Darrell Issa and Jim Sensenbrenner.

Fred Upton (R-Michigan) is by far the most rational of these five Republicans on the environment. Upton is one of the frontrunners to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2011.

Unlike some of his peers, Upton acknowledges that global warming is real. He told the energy committee early last year: "I have said at nearly every climate change hearing that for me I don't dispute the science. Right or wrong, the debate over the modelling and science appears to be over." He was an architect of the incandescent light bulb ban, and he has cast votes in opposition to oil and gas production from offshore areas. However, Upton can be expected to try to limit the powers of the Environmental Protect Agency (EPA).

Joe Barton (R-Texas) also wants to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee but he needs a waiver to bypass GOP committee term-limit rules to become chairman. He won notoriety this summer when he apologised to BP for the White House deal establishing a $20bn oil clean-up fund. Barton called the fund a "shakedown".

If denied the energy and commerce committee, Barton could be a contender to head the science committee, which would provide him with a platform to preach his climate science denial. He also has his sights set on reducing the power of the EPA.

In a letter welcoming the winning Republicans to the House, Barton congratulated them on their "well-deserved victory," and he foreshadowed his leadership when he wrote, "When I am chairman, you won't find any Democrats applauding."

Doc Hastings (R -Washington), is currently in the Natural Resources Committee, he will likely serve as its chairman in the 112th Congress. His pro-energy record on energy production will likely translate to more fossil fuel developments on federal lands, both onshore and offshore.

Darrell Issa (R-California) is a high school drop-out who was arrested in his youth for auto theft, it is more than a bit ironic that he will have far-ranging subpoena power in the new Congress.

Issa is now poised to become chairman of the House Government Oversight and Reform Committee. As chairman of the most powerful oversight committee in the new Republican House, Issa will have enormous power.

Despite thousands of independent studies that support climate change, Issa says it is time to take yet another look at the science. "That doesn't mean that global warming isn't happening," Issa conceded, but he wants to buy more time by saying the issue of climate change requires more study. (This is a common Republican strategy designed to indefinitely forestall action on climate change).

Even though the so called "climategate" scientists were cleared by five separate inquiries, Issa recently told POLITICO that he would use his panel to conduct further inquiries into the stolen "climategate" e-mails. And he also plans to keep a close watch on the EPA. Issa has indicated that he would like to kill the committee on energy independence and global warming.

Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin), is on the select committee on energy independence and global warming, he wants to keep the Committee alive so it can investigate climate science and police President Barack Obama's green policies. Sensenbrenner would like to take over that committee, even though he thinks global warming is an international conspiracy.

Sensenbrenner is a climate denier of the first order. At the height of the controversy over hacked emails from East Anglia last year, he warned of "a massive international scientific fraud" and science "fascism." On his web site, Sensenbrenner indicates that he believes the Obama administration is part of a global climate conspiracy.

Related Articles
  Republican Gubernatorial Gains and the Clean Energy Economy
  The Passage of Health Care Legislation and Implications for the Environment
  They Blinded Us With "Science!"
  BE DiFFERENT YOU! Covet the Fox
  Earth Day 2010: Life and Death Decisions for Business
  Republican Gubernatorial Gains and Redistricting
  Earth Day and Social Media
  The War On Women!
  What is a “Meta” for? (Make that Metaphor)
  What is the Difference Between Weather and Climate?
  What Causes Climate Change?
  Climate Scientist Cleared: Deniers Deprived of Misinformation Strategy
  Republican Gubernatorial Gains and US Carbon Trading Programs
  Strengthen your business boundaries
  Climate Counts: Businesses Combating Climate Change
  Gas Price Signs: Unfair Right-Wing Messaging!
  Silicon Valley to make Greener Computers
  Stop Making Decisions – just do what’s important!
  Minimize Meetings
  Defiticts and Debts, Oh My!

Article Tags: Climate Congress, climate denial, committee, congressional committee, deniers, House of Representatives



Related Forum Posts
Seminar attendance - I read through most of these posts and the first thought that popped into my head Andy already posted. Charge a fee to register, that will be refundable at the end of the seminar. This will ensure they show up and STAY for it.
Offer Credit instead - I'm not sure if ChrisH was referring to this but i'll state it more expicitly .. Charge upfront and offer a refund of double the value back in "Credit" towards your Product or Service you have for sale at the end of the event.
Re: Obama or McCain? - The thing I find most interesting about the election is how CNN reported that the Democratic party has spent 3 times more money than the Republicans on advertising. In fact, Obama billboard ads can even be found in today's popular video games (e.g. the racing ones).
Men and Women, or Republican vs Democrat? - >>I don't know many men who talk about the environment so I think you're right that it probably wouldn't be in their top ten It all depends on what you mean by the environment. Global warming? Yes...men such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannitty and Neal Boortz say it's not happening and that it's just an anti-capitalist plot. And I think the Republicans prefer to believe that while Democrats - male, ie Al Gore - are pushing it for all its worth. Meanwhile female Sheryl Crowe is telling us to use one square of bathroom tissue a piece... that's just plain silly! If American Women were that concerned about the environment they'd all be riding their bikes to work instead of driving those big old SUVs...
Re: LEADERS - Nice post, i like the Doers and the listeners comments from my handbook 8.5 HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LEADERSHIP? Planning Problem Solving Vision Innovation Leadership Emotional Intelligence Delegation Communication Self-Development Relationship Building Commercial Financial skills Personal Energy Ethics Transparency Even there I see that we are missing "PASSION"


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The Strong Leadership Formula

How do you keep it together on a daily basis?

Leadership-A Daily Gift

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.