Throughout the years, one of the main obstacles to Democratic action on energy independence has been midwestern Democrats, especially those representing the interests of the Detroit Dinosaurs, the auto industry. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), for instance, has opposed mandatory increases in auto efficiency standards, while remaining a fairly reliable liberal Dem in other regards. And Rep. John Dingell sounds pretty much like a flat-earther global-warming skeptic.
It's excellent news that Speaker Pelosi has at least made an attempt cut through the seniority-mandated nonsense about the climate, and appointed my own Rep. Ed Markey as head of the new Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Needless to say, Dingell isn't too happy about being trumped by Pelosi and Markey, his erstwhile protégé:
The member of Congress with the most to lose under the new arrangement is Representative John D. Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who has been a longtime champion of Detroit automakers and who has consistently resisted forcing them to boost the fuel economy of their vehicles.
... The new Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming is charged with probing climate change and developing approaches to slowing the pace of global warming. Markey, the 16-term Democrat who is expected to be named chairman today, would almost certainly bring a more aggressive approach to the issue than Dingell and some of the other current committee chairmen.
This shows urgency, guts and vision from Speaker Pelosi. She is plainly not just going back to pre-1994 business as usual from the Democrats. Great job!
And Mr. Markey -- let us know what we can do to help. We've got your back. |
