Jeff Tollefson: The Washington DC Spin

Jeff Tollefson tells us how much life has changed in the last 6 months. Covering Congress in a new administration is crazy different. Same issues. Many of the same players. And many of the same players are advocating the same positions. But the momentum is different, the balance of power is different, and every passing week makes him realize how different this climate change issue is being discussed, acted on, and covered by the new administration.

He tells us about the political process. Republicans weren't giving climate change much attention until business interests began to anticipate a Democratic regime -- and worrying about it. Business actors starting pushing for Congress to pass climate change regulations while there were still

Al Gore did not make this wave. He is riding this wave. When the Democrats arrived in Washington people started knocking at the door -- automotive companies saying they wanted to talk about climate change. Business needs to be able to plan; they know change and regulations are coming, so they want to be at the table to discuss it.

Jeff predicts a sudden reversal in the debate in a year or two. He thinks industry will be pushing for climate legislation and the environmentalists will say no. The key number is 60, he says. (He is immersed in DC lingo and the mechanics of political action -- for those of us who aren't in the habit of thinking about balance of power, open seats, and personalities, who is vulnerable and who is not, the code he is speaking takes a minute to sink in.) You mean the environmentalists will want to hold out for even stronger legislation, asks Brian? Bingo. Dems and environmentalists will think that they'll have an even more supportive regime in a couple of years.

Brian: Legislation is slow to develop, and legislators are slow to act. But businesses need an environment of certainty, they need to plan, and they need to act on shorter timescales. So what's the role of the private sector at the table here? Justin, what do you see as the role of big business?
Justin: Big biz is definitely a player. Pew is a partner with 10 CEOs in this emerging project. www.us-cap.org . These partnerships may appear unusual, but we are coming together. We can't wait for the legislators. Every week you hear of more partnerships -- McDonald's is with Greenpeace in the Amazon. Maybe there's some self-interest involved (end-running legislation, "greenwashing") but I also think these are legitimate efforts. People want to improve the environment.