I don’t know about you, but when elderly lesbian doppelganger slash Republican Lindsey Graham is one of the few Senators espousing a common-sense, ecologically-minded legislative opinion, I pay attention. Complete with a double spit-take and a heaping helping of “WHAAA?”

Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski, firing the next salvo in the knock-out grudge match between Alaskans and the Earth, has sponsored a bill that would overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s right to regulate air pollutants. Even though that’s, you know, what the EPA does. The core argument is that Congress should be regulating environmental policy, not an actual environmental regulatory group. Here’s where the startling sanity of Lindsey Graham comes into play: “If we stop them [the EPA], are we going to do anything?” Three guesses and a prize of their choice to the lucky winner.

The Murkowski bill counts at least 40 co-sponsors (including Democrats from Arkansas, Nebraska, and Louisiana). Several other Democrats from coal states have not yet stated which way they will vote, leaving open the possibility that the bill will find the 51 votes it needs to pass.

Since Obama’s climate bill hasn’t yet passed, the EPA’s Clean Air Act is the only governmental means of cutting carbon emissions currently available. There’s also nothing stopping Congress from crafting its own energy legislation in addition to whatever actions the EPA takes. But a consensus on energy policy in Congress is a long way off. Depending on which way the vote goes this afternoon, the reality of effective greenhouse emissions regulations may become just as distant. With Democrats scrambling to protect corporate profits and Republicans speaking up for sensible environmental protection (and no legislative consensus or leadership in sight), the score could very well be Alaska 1, Earth 0.

Image: dbaron

The post The Audacity of Doing Your Job: Lindsey Graham Steps Up For the EPA appeared first on EcoSalon.

This week on eco-friendly television, Leonardo DiCaprio took us to Greensburg, KS, the first sustainable city, and Jon Stewart had a few words to say about Senator Lindsey Graham (mostly “waa”). Once again prompting us to cry out “I Want My Green TV!”

Can Greensburg Sustain Sustainability?

Out of the ashes of unthinkable tragedy rises an eco-phoenix, as the third season of “Greensburg: A Final Look” premiered on Planet Green.

In 2006, Hollywood’s green poster boy Leonardo DiCaprio had an idea for a TV series. He wanted to build an entire sustainable town and film the process as a reality show. But he couldn’t find the location.

A year later, nature intervened when Greensburg (no we didn’t make that up), was 95 percent destroyed by an F5 tornado. The community came together to rebuild, and they vowed to go green. Leo brought in camera crews to document the historic story of revitalization and perseverance.

As the third season kicked off, the green municipality was revealed – yes, progress has come to Greensburg. The Wind Farm is moving forward (ten turbines that will power the whole city and then some), the geo-thermal heated state-of-the-art school is under construction, and there’s even a uber-metropolitan fancy coffee shop for all the local’s mocha cappuccino needs. But one critical question is yet to be answered. Will there be enough jobs to sustain the sustainable town?

Maybe Leo should have built a green movie studio to put all the residents to work.

Jon Stewart Has One Word for Lindsey Graham: “Waa”

Leave it to Jon Stewart to call it like he sees it and school a U.S. Senator on his childish behavior.

It all started last November when Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, Democrat John Kerry, and Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman teamed up for the greatest tripartisan environmental effort in history. Their goal, a compromise climate and energy bill, was almost ready to be handed over to the Environmental Protection Agency for review. But when Democrats shifted their attention to the heated topic of immigration, Graham walked away threatening to vote against the bill.

And with that, the momentum surrounding the energy bill disappeared faster than the polar ice caps.

Enter Jon Stewart who thought Graham’s maneuvering felt like a disappointed child taking his toys and going home. When EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson stopped by The Daily Show, the host got right to the heart of the matter saying, “Do you feel that Senator Graham is a big fat baby? And would you like to say to him right now, “˜Waa. Waa. Waa. Waa, Lindsey Graham?'”

Jackson sidestepped the joke with a more adult suggestion – remind him how important his contribution is to the bill’s success. But Stewart had a another creative idea, “Have you thought about candy or a pacifier for Senator Graham?”

Graham probably won’t be stopping by “The Daily Show” anytime soon.

Tune in next time to see what’s cropping up on green TV.

Image: Wesley Fryer

The post I Want My Green TV appeared first on EcoSalon.