Energy and Climate Debate

Last week’s midterm elections signaled a new direction for energy policy, and as current congressmen prepare to return for the lame duck session, winners of the November 2nd elections and the Obama Administration begin planning for the 112th Congress.

Republicans picked up 60 seats in the House, enough to assume control of the lower chamber, even with nine races still undecided. In the Senate, Democrats lost six seats, but still held on to their majority by a margin of 53-46, and the Senate race in Alaska may be undetermined for some time yet to come.

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who said late last week that she hopes to work with the Senate and President Obama on reducing carbon emissions without the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a cap and trade system, may soon become only the second person to win a Senate race as a write-in, though it may be weeks before the outcome is known. Senator Strom Thurmond, who served for nearly 42 years, was first elected to the Senate in 1954 as a write-in candidate....

Also in this issue: Congress; Administration, Department of Defense; Department of Energy; Department of Transportation; Environmental Protection Agency; Federal Trade Commission; General Service Administration; Personnel; and, Miscellaneous.