Archive for the ‘Obama’ Category

Cronyism ruled Obama’s Energy Department – Washington Examiner

Is solar energy now suddenly affordable and reliable despite its checkered history? Up until now, it has not been able to stand on its own two feet without substantial subsidies.

The authors of a two-year, taxpayer-funded study acknowledge that the answer to that question is: not quite. But that could change in short order, they argue, if public policy maximizes recent innovations.

In 2014, Stanford University's Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance received a $618,155 grant from President Barack Obama's Energy Department to examine recent trends in China's solar energy industry and to determine what the international implications are of those trends.

Based on their findings, the center's research team recommends tighter cooperation between the U.S. and China on solar energy initiatives, increased U.S. government spending on research and development, and a steep U.S. price on carbon-based energy sources.

The report titled "The New Solar System" says that a price on carbon is needed to provide private enterprise with enough incentive to develop renewable energy sources, such as solar, to alleviate climate change. The research team doesn't exactly quantify how much of a price they would like to see, but they do make it clear that it should be as steep as possible. Here's what they recommend:

"More than any other single policy, a significant price on carbon in the United States would induce a market shift from higher-carbon to lower-carbon technologies," the report says. While there are carbon-pricing arrangements currently in place at the state level, the Stanford researchers find that they are not sufficient enough to result in any significant reduction of U.S. emissions. What's needed instead, they suggest, is "an intelligently crafted and meaningful price on carbon."

Energy consumers, who would be forced to absorb higher costs over the short-term, would supposedly benefit over time as the shift to renewable energy sources mitigates the effects of climate change. But, there's no guarantee that the benefits would outweigh the costs.

Heritage Foundation policy analysts Kevin Dayaratna and David Kreutzer have produced a study based on the Obama administration's models and assumptions that shows a tax on carbon would reduce household incomes, raise electricity prices, and cost hundreds of thousands of jobs with only a "minimal impact on climate."

However, policymakers might seek to impose a price on carbon, the hard reality is that U.S. consumers would be forced to absorb higher energy costs in the short-term in exchange for benefits that may not ever materialize.

Tom Pyle, the president of the Institute of Energy Research, a Washington-based nonprofit group devoted to a free market approach to energy policy, warns that taxpayers who are footing the bill for grants distributed through the Department of Energy, and other federal agencies, often lose out as a result of "crony deals" that enable "well-connected" former and current government officials to advance their own narrow special interests.

"What we see all too often with government grants is an incestuous relationship between a particular federal agency and former government officials who previously worked with that agency in some capacity," Pyle said. "These grant recipients manipulate and game system to their advantage at the expense of taxpayers. The end result of this particular grant to the Steyer-Taylor Center is a study that proposes to put a price on carbon and to double-down on solar energy. This means that taxpayers are losing twice both as taxpayers and as energy consumers. They are paying for a study that calls for policy makers to raise their electricity prices."

Dan Reicher, who serves as executive director for the center and holds faculty positions at Stanford, is one of the study's lead authors. Prior to joining Stanford, Reicher served in energy and environmental positions in the Carter, Clinton, and Obama administrations. He was also the director of Google's Climate Change and Energy Initiatives and has worked as an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in New York City.

As a long-time advocate for renewable energy from inside and outside of government, Reicher is well-positioned to solicit government grants.

I exchanged several emails with Reicher inviting him to comment on the merits of solar energy and the major findings of his report for this blog. As of Tuesday, he hasn't responded. His report does say that "the grant gave the Stanford Steyer-Center full independence and authority to frame the inquiry, conduct the research, draw conclusions and write the report."

But, it's also clear that the Steyer-Taylor team accepted the Obama administration's premise that human emissions are responsible for dangerous levels of global warming, a position that has become more untenable in recent years.

There are hundreds of scientists and researchers who have come forward to identify natural influences as the primary driver of climate change. How many of those scientists are eligible for government grants?

With the change in administration, Pyle is calling on Energy Secretary Rick Perry to conduct a thorough review of his agency's grant-making policies in an effort to root out instances of "cronyism" that work against the public interest.

Kevin Mooney (@KevinMooneyDC) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. He is an investigative reporter in Washington, D.C. who writes for several national publications.

If you would like to write an op-ed for the Washington Examiner, please read our guidelines on submissions here.

Here is the original post:
Cronyism ruled Obama's Energy Department - Washington Examiner

Trump takes credit for nuclear arsenal that was largely modernized during Obama administration – CBS News

Last Updated Aug 9, 2017 11:23 AM EDT

President Trump on Wednesday seemed to take credit for the the strength of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, a day after warning North Korea that it would be met with "fire and fury" if it continues to threaten America.

Mr. Trump suggested in tweets that in his nearly seven months of serving as commander in chief, he has made the arsenal more robust.

Much of the improvements to the arsenal, however, were carried out by the Obama administration, CBS News' Major Garrett reports. The Defense Department and Energy Department spent billions of dollars on refurbishing the arsenal and bringing aging nuclear weapons up to modern capabilities as well as guidance systems and related technologies.

Mr. Trump did order a review of U.S. nuclear posture and strategy early in his presidency, but that's different from modernization and bringing old systems up to usable standards.

The credit really lies with former President Obama and defense hawks in Congress who funded the work, especially during a time when the federal budget is subject to spending limits. Mr. Trump has requested a 11 percent funding boost in his 2018 budget blueprint to Congress.

Ultimately, Obama advocates eliminating all nuclear weapons, a goal he has acknowledged might not be realized in his lifetime.

2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Link:
Trump takes credit for nuclear arsenal that was largely modernized during Obama administration - CBS News

Former Michelle Obama aide enters Maryland governor’s race – The Hill

Krishanti Vignarajah, a former policy director for former first lady Michelle ObamaMichelle ObamaIllinois makes 'Barack Obama Day' a state holiday Bill Clinton wishes Obama happy birthday: 'I love a good balloon' The Hill's 12:30 Report MORE, is enteringthe race for Maryland governor.

I am running for Governor because I am worried my daughter will not have the same opportunities my parents gave me when they brought our family here when I was a baby girl," Vignarajah, 37, said in a statement. "I hope Marylanders will agree the best man for the job is a woman.

The former Obama administration official also ripped the state's current Republicangovernor, Larry Hogan, accusing him of running a "deficit in leadership."

"Most of my life, Maryland has beena beacon of hope, opportunity, innovation, and courage.We led the nation in school performance, job creation, and conservation," she said. "But today too many of the students who can least afford to be left behind have been forgotten altogether. Too many workers have been left out. And our precious Chesapeake Bay faces its greatest risks in decades."

Five other Democrats are already vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. They includePrince Georges County Executive Rushern Baker; Alec Ross, a tech entrepreneur and Obama State Department alum; Maryland state Sen. Richard Madaleno; attorneyJames Shea; and Ben Jealous, a former NAACP president who has the backing of Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersFive tough decisions for the GOP on healthcare Booker on hug with McCain after healthcare vote: 'I'm a hugger' Former DNC chair criticizes whiny left MORE (I-Vt.).

Others, including policy consultant Maya Rockeymoore, the wife of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), have expressed interest in running as well.

Rep. JohnDelaney (D-Md.) announced in July that he would forego a gubernatorial run and would instead mount a bid for the White House in 2020.

More:
Former Michelle Obama aide enters Maryland governor's race - The Hill

Trump is going to be so pissed about Obama getting his own holiday – A.V. Club (blog)

Before he was president, Barack Obama served the state of Illinois as a state and U.S. senator. And before that, the former chief executive made a name for himself as a community organizer on Chicagos South Side. Obamas old grassroots activism grounds have already been named the site of his presidential library (even though there are some concerns that its construction will do the very things he once fought against in the community. Sorry, just keeping it real). But the point is, theres a lot of mutual love between this state and the 44th president, which is why Governor Bruce Rauner has just declared Obamas birthday a commemorative holiday. Starting in 2018, August 4 will be celebrated as Barack Obama Day in Illinois, according to NBC Chicago.

Because its a commemorative holiday, like the one honoring Ronald Reagan, and not a state holiday, therell be no mandatory office or school closures, or time off for state employees. Illinois Democrats initially pushed for an official state holiday, but apparently some lawmakers were upset that the Gipper hadnt received such a high honor himself. Still, its one more state holiday than the current president is likely to ever getTrump did, after all, fail to win his home state of New York in the 2016 election. But given the current state of things, we might not get the chance to celebrate the first Barack Obama Day.

[via The Daily Beast]

Submit your Newswire tips here.

Read more here:
Trump is going to be so pissed about Obama getting his own holiday - A.V. Club (blog)

Obama and Trump: Former President Calls for Peace in Kenya … – Newsweek

Former U.S. President Barack Obamas connections to Kenya are well known.

So it was perhaps not entirely surprising that Obama, whose father was a Kenyan student in the United States, spoke out ahead of the East African countrys election Tuesday, appealing for a peaceful and credible vote and urging Kenyans to reject tribal and ethnic hatred.

Obamas message stood in stark contrast to that of the current administration of President Donald Trump. The president himself, busyissuing threats to North Korea and tweeting about the size of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, has not personally commented on the elections in Kenya, a key U.S. partner in fighting Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Shabab in Somalia and a major recipient of U.S. aid.

Daily Emails and Alerts - Get the best of Newsweek delivered to your inbox

A supporter of the Jubilee Party of Kenya wearing a mask of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta poses with others attending a campaign rally in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 21. SIMON MAINA/AFP/Getty

The State Department and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have also been noticeably quiet. The Kenya elections did not come up once in an on-the-record press briefing held by Tillersons deputy, John Sullivan, on Tuesday, the day when Kenyans went to the polls. The department as a whole does not appear to have spoken on the issue since April 6, when it issued a travel alert warningof the potential danger of traveling to Kenya during the election period.

Related: A brutal murder in Kenya highlights why its election matters to the U.S.

In the case of other elections, such as the presidential race in Rwanda, the State Department has waited until after the polls to comment, and so a statement may be forthcoming. However, observers see the election as crucial in cementing Kenyas democracy and avoiding the kind of ethnic violence that followedthe 2007 vote and led to the deaths ofmore than 1,000 people, and Obamas comments have highlighted the Trump administration's silence.

In his Monday statement, Obama reflected on his presidential visit to Kenya in 2015. I said then that Kenya was at a crossroadsa moment of extraordinary promise but also potential peril, said Obama. As Kenyans vote in your election, the choice is once again in your hands.

The former U.S. President Barack Obama waves alongside Uhuru Kenyatta before boarding Air Force One prior to his departure from Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, on July 26, 2015. SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty

Obama called upon incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta, opposition challenger Raila Odinga and other political leaders to reject violence and incitement; respect the will of the people; urge security forces to act professionally and neutrally; and work together no matter what the outcome.

The former president also said any disputes around the result should be resolved peacefully, through Kenyas institutions and the rule of law. By Wednesday morning, it was not clear if that call had been heeded: Odinga claimed that the electronic systems of the electoral commission had been hacked using the identity of a murdered official and that preliminary results showing Kenyatta as the victor were fake.

Obama said in his statement that the run-up to the election had already seen too much incitement and appeals based on fear from all sides. But he added that the Kenyan people could make clear that you will reject those that want to deal in tribal and ethnic hatred.

Obama concluded his remarks by describing himself as a friend of the Kenyan people and asking Kenyatta, Odinga and all Kenyans to work for a future defined not by fear and division, but by unity and hope.

Obamas father, Barack Obama Sr., was a student in Kenya who studied at the University of Hawaii, where he met Obamas mother, Stanley Ann Dunham. The pair married in 1961 and had their son, Barack, in the same year. The couple divorced in 1964 and Obama Sr. returned to Kenya, where he died in 1982.

Since coming to office, Trumphas spoken to Kenyatta in a March phone call that mentioned the economic partnership and mutual dedication to overcoming security challenges shared by the two countries. Kenyatta is one of a small handful of African leaders to hear from Trump as president, while the State Department's top Africa position remains vacant since his January inauguration.

Read more here:
Obama and Trump: Former President Calls for Peace in Kenya ... - Newsweek