Daily Briefing - 3/12/07: Pelosi's Select Committee, Evangelical Concern over Global Warming, "Cleaner" Coal Plants, and a whole lot of Election News

There's lots of important news to go over today. Speaker Pelosi announces the roster of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, TXU announces plans for cleaner coal plants, there's infighting in Europe over addressing global warming, and three really good articles on ethanol are just a sampling. And not to forget a whole lot on election '08.

Seriously, a whole lot.

MW

----------------------------------------------------------------
Daily Briefing – 3/12/07
602 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Pelosi reveals roster of Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
- Top scientists warn of water shortages and disease
- Evangelical board affirms concern for global warming
- Europe divided on how to fight global warming
- Defending the muzzling of scientists
- TXU announces designs for two coal plants to be cleaner burning
- Report warns of disaster
- U.S. insurers seen as lagging
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- Kilroy looks for a rematch against Rep. Pryce
Potential ‘08ers…
- Obama v. Clinton (the sparring started early), Hagel (that imminent decision is not so imminent), Richardson (profiled by some old friends), Thompson, Fred (revisiting the possibility), Thompson, Fred again (thrilling TN GOP), Giuliani (conservatives balking), Brownback (the lesser-known candidate working the grassroots), Obama (urging compassion in the Middle East), Obama again (Sharpton ain’t a fan), McCain (Mankiw on his notion of tax cuts), Clinton (a hero problem), Edwards (the new version), Edwards again (cancer shaped his plan), Romney (gets support from Guinn),
- Early primary rush upending campaign plans
- Where the GOP hopefuls stand
- Nevada Dems nix Fox debate
Other News from the Media
- Energy independence for Warrenton, VA
- On ethanol:
o Why grocery bills are getting bigger
o Palm oil frenzy taking toll
o The hard truth: America is drunk on ethanol
- Midwest has coal rush, sees no alternative
o A response David Roberts at Grist
…and the Blogosphere
- The Fix: Friday’s Governor Line
- Hotline: White 2008 Race Ranking, the Republicans
- Grist:
o Testing Seattle’s commitment to being green
o Renewable energy, Texas style
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- It’s tourney time baby!
o LET’S GO COLONIALS!
- The silver screen gives Earth its revenge
- Dark energy… it’s out there, and in way more abundance than everything else
- All my troubles warmed away
Quotes O’ the Day
“Al Gore, on a recent trip to New York City to discuss his film An Inconvenient Truth, is walking west on 50th St., when he reaches Park Ave. Gore waits for the lights to change. Then, when he gets his walk signal, he proceeds across Park, strolling past dozens of idling cars and taxis and trucks that have been brought to a halt. How many tonnes of greenhouse gas were spilled into the atmosphere, just so Al Gore could cross the street? Who the hell does he think he is?” ~ Linwood Barclay