Progress! Vitter (A. Boisei) Replaces Inhofe (A. Afaransis) As Ranking Senate Environment Panelist

[hatrack]

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee may see its climate change rhetoric dialed back a notch next year as Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) inherits the top GOP spot from noted skeptic James Inhofe (R-Okla.).

While Vitter says he is skeptical that human emissions are playing the chief role in driving climate change, he said in an interview with E&E Daily that he is likely to devote less of his energies to climate skepticism than his predecessor did, focusing instead on a suite of issues including water infrastructure legislation, an overhaul to the Toxic Substances Control Act and reforming the highway trust fund.

"I share his intense skepticism," Vitter said of Inhofe. "But I would not expect it to be as much the focus of my time and attention on the committee."

Inhofe, who will become ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has made climate change his signature issue on the EPW Committee, where he will continue to serve -- and may yet become ranking member of one of its subcommittees. The chairman of the panel until Democrats regained control of the Senate in 2007, Inhofe has visited U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change meetings, appeared on talk shows and written a book to spread his belief that climate change is "a hoax" perpetrated by special interests to control the American economy.

EDIT

http://www.eenews.net/public/EEDaily/2012/11/14/1

[Marie Marie]

1. I hope he starts by wearing cloth diapers instead of disposable.

Time to set a good example Sen Vitter.