Waxman Defeats Dingell for Energy Committee Chair

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.

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LA’s Congressman Waxman Eyeing Energy Committee Chair

By Damien Newton |
Via Reconnecting America: The New Republic reports that Westside Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman is seeking the Chairmanship for the House of Representative’s Energy Committee.  Waxman’s rival is John Dingell (D-MI) who may represent his car building district well, but is responsible for delaying Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards and was the first to suggest a $25 […]

Mobility Plan Re-Approval Passes Joint Council Committee Meeting

By Joe Linton |
The city of Los Angeles’ progressive Mobility Plan 2035 was re-affirmed yesterday at a joint meeting of the City Council Transportation and Planning Committees. In August, the plan was approved on a 12-2 vote of the L.A. City Council. Under the scrutiny of a lawsuit challenge, the city is in the process of removing some allegedly […]

Waxman on Stimulus Conference Committee, Call Now

By Damien Newton |
The fight to preserve and expand funding for bicycle, pedestrian and transit projects in the federal stimulus package isn’t over just yet.  Because the Senate and House of Representatives didn’t pass identical bills, the two sides will each send five members to a conference committee to hammer out the differences before it is signed by […]

L.A. City Council Approves New Mobility Plan, Including Vision Zero

By Joe Linton |
After a lengthy and contentious debate, the full Los Angeles City Council approved the city’s new Mobility Plan, the Transportation Element of the city’s General Plan. Mobility Plan 2035 replaces the city’s former transportation plan in effect since 1999. The final vote was 12 in favor, with only Councilmembers Paul Koretz and Gil Cedillo opposing. The approved […]