Lawmakers Give Up Guzzlers—Grudgingly

Pass the energy bill as a first step

(NEWSER) - Unleash the "energy revolution," writes David Brooks today, making his pitch for the Kerry-Lieberman-Graham bill. It's imperfect, but an essential start. "Energy innovation is the railroad legislation of today," he argues, and if the US wants to remain the world's "pre-eminent nation," it needs a fundamental overhaul of how it thinks and invests. More»

(NEWSER) - Al Gore and Newt Gingrich both appeared on Capitol Hill today, arguing for and against Democratic legislation that would shape US policy on energy and the environment, MSNBC reports. Gore said the legislation, which would mandate a sweeping changeover to a green economy in the next 50 years, “has the moral significance equivalent to that of the civil rights legislation of the 1960s.” More»

(NEWSER) - A new study by JD Power and Associates places Lexus on top for dependability for the 14th straight year, AutoWeek reports. Filling out the rest of the top five most dependable brands, with reported problems per hundred vehicles sold:

• 2. Mercury (151)
• 3. Cadillac (155)
• 4. Toyota (159)
• 5. Acura (160)

President outlines broad plan to shape debate in Congress

(NEWSER) - President Bush set 2025 as the target date by which the US should stop the growth of greenhouse emissions from coal power plants, the AP reports. The goal is for those plant emissions to peak in 10 to 15 years, then begin declining. Bush called for legislation to introduce incentives for the development of green technology. More»

15 states join fight to limit greenhouse gases from cars and trucks

(NEWSER) - California, joined by 15 other states, filed suit today against the Environmental Protection Agency for rejecting its plan to limit greenhouse gases on cars, trucks, and SUVs. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the Bush administration is "ignoring the will of millions" by ruling that Congress' recent boost in fuel-efficiency standards makes California's own emissions law unnecessary, reports the AP. More»