STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

By TONI ELLINGTON

In the State of the Union address on January 20, 2015, President Barack Obama declared that no challenge poses a greater threat to future generations in the United States than climate change.  According to the President’s remarks, 2014 was the planet’s warmest year on record, and the activities of human beings on the planet are changing the climate, causing ocean levels to rise, and causing massive disruptions such as floods.  The President vowed that he would not let Congress turn back the clock on his administration’s climate control efforts, since climate control poses a serious risk to national security.

Following the State of the Union address, on January 21, 2015, the Senate voted 98 to 1 that climate change is real and not a hoax, but then rejected the assertion that human activities contribute to climate change.  The vote came on an amendment to legislation that would authorize the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, is currently injured and did not vote.  Senator Roger Wicker, R-MS, cast the only “nay” vote.

The President also acknowledged achievements in the United States in the alternative energy industry.  Per his remarks, the U.S. is now No. 1 in wind power, and solar energy use is increasing as a source of alternative energy each week.

In addition, the President reminded the country of the recent agreement reached between the U.S. and China in November to cap greenhouse gas emissions, and looked forward to a global agreement on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change to be reached in Paris in 2015.

For updates on environmental issues in the 114th Congress, stay tuned to this blog, or contact Toni Ellington at (504) 599-8500.