It's official. Congressman Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) defeated Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) in the race to be chair of the House of Representatives Energy Committee. This is good news for Californians interesting inlobbying on behalf of a greener energy policy, after all there are few people as influential as the Energy Committee Chair, and for the environment in general.
Dingell has long been a water carrier for the embattled Big 3 Automakers and their union constituencies. Recently he's been responsible for lax Greenhouse Gas standards and has generally fought toughening federal clean air laws. Dingell has promised to be a more environmentally friendly Committee Chair.
Is Dingell's ouster a signal of waning power on Capitol Hill for U.S. automakers? The news from Capitol Hill doesn't appear good for those hoping Congress writes a $25 billion check to bailout the Big 3.
