Under the “cap and trade” system, companies are capped on the amount of pollution they can emit into the environment, and any excesses result in a fine to the government or a purchase of smaller companies’ unused pollution emissions.

When the Waxman-Markey Clean Energy Bill passed the house earlier this summer, public support for “cap and trade” sat well below the half mark at 44%.  Today, CNN reported that current polling showed the public support for “cap and trade” at an all time high of 60%.

Even more promising is Zogby’s revelation that 71% of Americans now favor the energy bill that has already passed through the House of Representatives, with a strong belief that a movement toward clean energy will result in more jobs for Americans.

Not surprisingly, there is a generational divide in the polling numbers, with the “Obama generation” overwhelmingly in support of stricter emissions standards (68% of the under-50 crowd favors “cap and trade”).  Additionally, Independents are polling “green”, which should also put some pressure on the purple states when the bill reaches the Senate floor.

We’re not there yet, but with support climbing and pressure coming in from all directions, America is getting closer to cleaner energy!

Employing a team of scientists to study rising sea levels, population shifts, and the ever intensifying competition for limited natural resources, this new center will provide expertise and support to policymakers. 

In recognizing the agency’s unique position in investigating the changing climate’s effect on the political, economic, and social stability around the world, Director Panetta remarked that, “decision makers need information and analysis on the effects climate change can have on security. The CIA is well positioned to deliver that intelligence.”

Though the CIA will be collaborating with think tanks and academics, it is taking the issue of climate change by the horns.  And by recognizing that the fight over limited resources is one that will continue to cause grave national security concerns, the CIA has taken a real leadership role in averting catastrophe.

By being shouted down by Robert Dillon, the Senator’s staffer and the Republican Communications Director for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, belittled as a blogger, and then…

Wait for it.

And then, Mr. Nelson was granted the beautifully rare admission that the GOP’s talking point is a completely irrelevant.    Dillon’s exact words, “It is impossible to lie about something there are disagreements on — which is the cost estimates.”

Impossible to lie?  By using debunked cost estimates to scare people into supporting opposition to climate legislation?

Maybe the real impossibility here is in finding true facts to support opposition to climate legislation.

Those mavericks…

60% of those polled support the White House’s proposal, and 55% of those believe that President Obama is doing a good job in his handling of the energy policy issue.  Though the margin has been holding steadily since June, 52%-43% of Americans approve of a cap-and-trade system, with support rising in developing electric car technology, as well as those of solar and wind power, and greater fuel efficiency, not surprisingly, so long as the effect on Americans isn’t too adverse.

The further use of nuclear energy, for instance, is increasingly supported (by 52% of Americans, compared to only 47% eight years ago), so long as the plant is more than 50 miles away from home (support dropping by 17% if plants were closer than 50 miles away!).  And while 58% of Americans support greater fuel efficiency at home so long as the cost increase is only about $10 per month, support drops to 39% if the cost to consumers’ bottom line is $25 per month.

Most Americans agree that the time has come to step up to the plate, and make the energy changes we need to make to ensure our own security and prosperity.  But it’s also clear that the support is contingent on it not costing us too much.