Meet the senator from ExxonMobil who’s taking over the Energy Committee

[xchrom]

http://grist.org/politics/meet-the-senator-from-exxonmobil-whos-taking-over-the-energy-committee/

?w=470&h=265&crop=1

Mary Landrieu does not much care for the environment. During her three terms representing Louisiana in the U.S. Senate, she has amassed the lowest lifetime rating of any Senate Democrat from the League of Conservation Voters, just 49 percent.

And now she’s on the verge of taking over the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Last week, President Obama nominated Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chair of the Finance Committee, to be ambassador to China. There is no reason to think that Baucus — a centrist, pro-business Democrat — won’t get confirmed to the post. Once Baucus resigns from the Senate, Energy Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) will assume the chairmanship of the far more powerful Finance Committee.

At first glance, Wyden’s ascension might strike environmentalists as good news. Wyden has a strong environmental record, and the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction includes important energy policies such as our massive wasteful subsidies for oil and gas drilling, and our comparably meager — and constantly threatened — subsidies for renewable energy development. But Wyden’s move means Landrieu is next in line to chair the Energy Committee.

Holding a seat in Louisiana, which consistently votes Republican in presidential campaigns, is hard for a Democrat. Given the importance of offshore oil drilling to the Gulf Coast economy, Landrieu takes a pro–fossil fuel line on most issues in Congress. Paying Landrieu a compliment that should send a chill down your spine, Eric Wohlschlegel of the American Petroleum Institute told The Wall Street Journal, “She has a history of understanding the industry and the importance of delivering energy to the country.” If API is happy about the new Energy chair, you shouldn’t be — unless you work for ExxonMobil.

[Laf.La.Dem.]

1. Mary Landrieu will get my vote!!

Landrieu or someone right of David Vitter!!

[Laelth]

2. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[daleanime]

3. ........

[fredamae]

4. This "dem" Fully Epitomizes

My criticisms and disgust of the Many Wall Street Dems!
I love Democrats in general--but "dems" like this-Plus-the Refusal of the Party Leaders to Listen to our complaints about them? Is The Reason People who have been Long Loyal to the party - are leaving in Droves. Period.
So called Democrats like this Are Seriously Tainting the party as a whole.

[L0oniX]

5. All these muthafuckas should be forced to visit Yellowstone and get some conscience.

Swim with a dolphin before you decide to drill for oil in the GOM ...assholes! Visit the Redwoods before you sell rights to harvest trees to some foreign corporation. Drink some spring water fresh from the ground before you frack it all to hell.

[davidthegnome]

6. Huh...

Well, you know, ExxonMobil and a clean and healthy environment go together like.... uhm, well, no, they really don't go together.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. I was wondering why Bachus was being moved out...

when the China appt. was announced last week.