Like the rest of the world, we are closely watching every move made by Barack Obama’s transition team for signals as to which direction the administration will run when it hits the ground in January.
We are still hoping president-elect Obama will attend in person the international climate treaty negotiations taking place next month in December. However, if the G20 summit in Washington this weekend is any indication, he may only send a team of representatives. However, the G20 summit was called by President Bush, and Obama’s attendance would not have the same impact that it would, if he should participate in the United Nations-led talks next month.
Grumet Attends Environmental Conference
Obama’s camp did deliver a promising message to environmentalists this week, sending energy policy advisor Jason Gumet to an environmental conference in Washington, where he gave reassurances that there would be swift movement on climate change legislation.
Grumet has been suggested in the media as a possible choice for Secretary of Energy in the new administration.
"The whole transition team felt it important to be here. I think it is going to be a very very busy 2009, and I think we are going to need all of you to be on top of your game," Grumet said to attendees at the conference organized by the consulting group Point Carbon and the Pew Centre on Global Climate Change.
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) was also in attendance and said he thinks it is unlikely that Congress will pass a climate change bill before 2010. Bingaman is the chair of the Senate’s Energy and National Resources Committee and he is also rumored to be a possible choice for an administration post.
Gore Doesn’t Want to Be Climate Czar
Since Obama’s election, there has been much discussion concerning the creation of a ‘Climate Czar’ position to oversee the nation’s response to the climate change crisis. The natural choice for this position seemed to be former vice president Al Gore, despite the fact that he has stated on many occasions that he does not want a government position.
This week Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider reaffirmed Gore’s position: "Former Vice President Gore does not intend to seek or accept any formal position in government. He feels very strong right now that the best thing for him to do is to build support for the bold changes that we have to make to solve the climate crisis."
If Gore is truly out of the picture, leading candidates for the post include former EPA chief Carol M. Browner, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
The Obama transition team has yet to make any statement on the creation of such a position.
"Obama has outlined an aggressive energy and climate agenda and will put the resources in place in his administration to achieve those goals," Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
Loading...