Issues
Congress extends US clean energy shift
Carbonpositive.net
Nov. 24, 2008
Democrats, who control the numbers in Congress, have voted to install Henry Waxman as chairman of the powerful House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee, a man who promises a more proactive focus on climate, clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions than his predecessor, John Dingell….“The champion of the environment has replaced the champion of the automotive industry,” Daniel Becker, a lawyer with the Safe Climate Campaign, told Bloomberg.
Coal, electric industries big winners in climate-bill deal
By Mike Lillis
May 20, 2009
The compromise also waters down the so-called cash-for-clunkers program…Daniel Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, said the program does much more to help struggling automakers sell large, unpopular models than it does to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Critics Say ‘Clunkers’ Program Isn’t Very Green
All Things Considered
By Christopher Joyce
Aug. 3, 2009
Mr. DAN BECKER (Safe Climate Campaign): The problem is the auto industry hijacked this law, so it doesn’t get the better ones on the road. All it does is replace old clunkers with new clunkers.
Hear it here…
Is Obama Out of Bounds on Climate Change?
BNET.com
May 22, 2009
By Jim Motavalli
According to Becker, “The EPA and the Department of Transportation are working up standards to achieve the 35.5-mpg goal. It’s a goal. And the President also instructed the EPA to determine whether carbon dioxide [CO2, the major global warming gas] is a threat to health and welfare. That opened the door to allow regulation, and empowers the agency to reduce carbon emissions.”
Posture, Clout of Slimmer GM, Automakers: Outlook on Capitol Hill Cloudy, but Change Likely
The Yale Forum on Climate Change and the Media
By Julie Halpert
July 21, 2009
“The auto industry already had lost a lot of its clout before they drove themselves into bankruptcy,” Becker says. He sees automakers desperately lobbying now to get more money and more bailouts, and adds “It’s hard for the auto companies to wield the bludgeon against the environment with one hand while they’re shaking a tin cup in the other.”
Critics Blast ‘Cash for Clunkers’ $2 Billion Lifeline
Washington Independent
By Mike Lillis
July 31, 2009
EPA Tailpipe Reg.’s “German Provision” Angers Environmentalists, David Cole
The Truth About Cars (www.thetruthaboutcars.com)
By Robert Farago
July 28, 2009
Daniel Becker, director of the Washington-based Safe Climate Campaign, which advocates tougher regulation of automotive fuel economy and greenhouse-gas emissions, said BMW and Mercedes “should be required to meet the same standards as General Motors and Ford.”