In This Issue:

Energy and Climate Debate; Congress; Administration; Department of Energy; Department of State; Environmental Protection Agency; Government Accountability Office; International; States; and Miscelleanous.

Excerpt from Energy and Climate Debate -

With Senator Max Baucus’ (D-MT) confirmation as ambassador to China, Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mary Landrieu (D-CA) assumed the chairmanship of the Senate Finance and Energy and Natural Resources Committees, respectively, last week. Also part of the committee leadership shuffle include Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) succeeding Senator Landrieu as chair of the Small Business Committee and Senator John Tester (D-MT) succeeding Senator Cantwell as head of the Indian Affairs Committee; the Senate approved the moves February 13. As the senators take some time to organize their staffs and legislative agendas, Senator Landrieu has already pledged to promote domestic energy production, while Senator Wyden has said that he hopes to begin work on the tax extenders package as a precursor to addressing comprehensive tax reform at a later date.