The fallout from last week’s midterm elections continues to reveal itself in various reports.
Swing-State Democrats Could Tip Against GHG Regulations
A story on Politico, notes that just a handful of conservative Senate Democrats now hold oversized power regarding the future of the Obama Administration’s climate change policies.
As a first order of business, the Republican-controlled House is likely to pass a bill blocking EPA regulations on green house gas emissions. Senate Republicans attempted to do the same before the elections, and drew several Democrats to their cause, which was only narrowly defeated by a majority of Democrats.
But now that Republicans have narrowed the margin of Democratic control in the Senate, swing-state Democrats facing reelection in 2012 might tip the issue in favor of Republicans, which could force Barack Obama to exercise his first presidential veto.
Republicans May Pervert House Comittee on Climate Change
The Associated Press reports that a House Republican climate skeptic wants his party to preserve the global warming committee created by Democrats to turn it against Obama’s policy initiatives.
It has been assumed by some that Republicans would dissolve the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming upon gaining control of the House.
However, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) said the economic threat posed by EPA regulations deserves special attention in the next Congress, and that the committee could be used for Republican oversight.
EU Sees U.S. Fading Away on Climate Issue
A Reuters story states that top climate officials within the European Union see the U.S. "disappearing as a partner" in international climate talks, following Republican gains in midterms.
Obama admitted last week that the opportunity for passing comprehensive climate and energy legislation has passed. That leaves only executive authority and regulations at his disposal to meet his pledge to cut emissions 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.
The UN climate change conference is set to begin in Cancun, Mexico at the end of this month. But following last years disappointment in Copenhagen, and little progress throughout 2010, expectations are low for this meeting of environmental ministers.
"We’re very disappointed about the United States going that way and dropping climate legislation," said Jos Delbeke, director general of the European Commission’s climate team.
"We see the U.S. disappearing as a partner in achieving meaningful climate action," he told Reuters.
Republican Governors Reject High-Speed Rail Funding
Tuesday’s midterms could spell trouble for the nation’s nascent high-speed rail system, according to a report in the New York Times. Republican candidates who opposed the nation’s rail projects won gubernatorial races in Ohio, Florida and Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi said the state is suspending its work on an $810 million Milwaukee-Madison rail line after Gov.-elect Scott Walker (R) reaffirmed his pledge to kill the project.
Read the full story at the link below.
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