Klobuchar Liveblog

1:08–The individual senator who has most impressed her is Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., who she says has “never lost [his] passion” for politics, as well as an ability to work across the aisle.  Also, says one of her favorite moments thus far was when she was presiding and got to gavel Ted Kennedy to order.

Also says that Republicans and Democrats in the Senate can get along, but that there have been many GOP senators who have been good to her and have been willing to work with them.

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1:07–Notes that there is broad support for getting things done–that Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., John Warner, R-Va., and Joe Lieberman,  I-Conn., all support taking action, along with most Democrats.  She won’t promise a perfect bill, but she says it will be a step forward.

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1:05–Klobuchar is encouraging people to rally from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the State Capitol on April 14, in support of changes to dealing with global warming.  I will be there with my daughter.  I’ll be the fat bald guy with the unbelievably cute 4-year-old.

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1:04–Not sure whether overpopulation is the reason that global warming is happening.  Thinks the answer is more because of how we run our lives, though she does support helping other countries with contraception aid.

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12:59–Global warming denier in the house!  Why, there’s no significant warming at all! Klobuchar asks, “Is Sen. Inhofe’s son here today?”

Klobuchar notes that there’s been a 1-degree increase in the last century as opposed to a 5-degree temperature rise in the preceding 10,000 years.  Even the Republican-run EPA is predicting a 3- to 8-degree worldwide temperature increase over the next century.

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12:58–In favor of expanding transit options, including the Northstar line.  More mass transit can curb global warming, and given gas prices, it becomes more economical.

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12:56–Not in favor of Minnesota going it alone in setting up carbon caps; thinks that the Minnesota energy bill was a positive step forward.

Notes that no action has been taken nationally, and that patchwork of state regulation is better than nothing, but that we need national action, too.

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12:55–Also work being done on converting animal waste to energy in Minnesota.  Disgusting, but possibly good.

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12:53–Working with Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., on cellulosic ethanol, which is carbon-neutral.  Notes that these grasses can grow on marginal farmland, and be farmed in a more environmentally friendly manner than corn.

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12:52–Offshore drilling needs to be done intelligently, not sure that drilling right off the Louisiana coast is the best idea in the world.

As far as nuclear power goes, notes that Europe is developing safer nuclear power, but we have to address waste disposal. If we can find a way to take care of that issue, we should be open to it.

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12:50–Nuclear should be on the table, per Klobuchar.

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12:49–Regarding coal, Klobuchar says we need to use new technologies that reduce greenhouse emissions.  We’re not going to get rid of coal, but how do we do it better?

Also, we need to work to make wind power useful, and also make energy efficiency ubiquitous.

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12:47–Says that according to Xcel, energy efficiency can be achieved with no rate increase.  Also notes that DuPont saved billions by reducing greenhouse emissions.  And that unchecked global warming would have devastating effects to the economy.

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12:42–That concludes Klobuchar’s remarks, now we’re moving on to Q&A with Larry Jacobs and questions from the crowd.  Jacobs asks: “What about now has made this such a hot topic?”

Klobuchar–People can actually see the effects now.  She says she spoke to 200 people interested in hunting and wetlands, joked about how on a very cold day people came out to talk about climate change — and nobody laughed, because people see it’s real.

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12:41–Klobuchar is starting a “Carbon Busters!” award program (complete with generic superhero), which will be given to government, business, and schools that work to reduce their carbon footprints.

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12:36–Amy wants to address ethanol subsidies in the farm bill this year.  I’d say there’s a 100% chance they’ll be included.  Klobuchar is also noting that switchgrass (yes, switchgrass) is more energy-efficient as a biofuel.  She’s pushing for cellulosic biofuels, saying that ethanol is the Univac of biofuels, and that prairie grasses could be the PC.

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12:34–Klobuchar is addressing the argument that global warming action necessarily hurts the economy.  She’s making the point that biofuels are a benefit to Minnesota’s economy.

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12:32–Klobuchar is coming off a bit wonky here, but that’s a good thing.  Senators are often given to the glittering generality.  That’s not what Klobuchar’s doing.

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12:30–Klobuchar is also pushing energy efficiency standards for homes, offices, and government buildings.  Also noting the wind turbine growth in the Pipestone area of Minnesota.

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12:28–”Cap and Trade” gets a bad rap from some environmentalists, but as Klobuchar notes, it was very effective in combating acid rain.  And it is probably the most realistic short-term approach to driving down greenhouse emissions.

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12:26–Klobuchar is now moving on to specifics, including:

• Cap and Trade Program
• Carbon Counter
• Energy Conservation
• Fuel efficiency improvements
• Giving money to agriculture to make ethanol
• International leadership

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12:25–Also in the hizzy: DFL senatorial candidate Al Franken.

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12:21–Klobuchar says BP and DuPont execs testified before her committee.  Is also praising Pawlenty signing the energy bill.  Made a point of noting she told Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) that the Minnesota GOP was involved in working toward renewable energy sources.

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12:20–Klobuchar is now using a slide from Grumpy Old Men to illustrate ice fisherman upset about global warming.  Nice touch.  One of the understated effect of global warming on Minnesota is its significant impact on our winter tourism industry.  When lakes aren’t frozen over until mid-January, and there’s ice-out by Mid-March–that’s a serious problem.

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12:17–I hadn’t heard that Glacier National Park was going to be deglaciated by 2017.  That’s a bit sobering.  It’s probably a liberal plot.

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12:15–Right now Klobuchar is going over what global warming is.  That’s remedial work for those of you who actually live in the reality-based community, and it’s as fake as evolution for those of you who don’t.  Nevertheless, it’s always disconcerting to hear about the millions of people who will be drowned by 2080.

Of course, global warming is probably fake–I mean, it’s pretty common that it hits 80 in late March in Minnesota.

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12:13–In the house today are dignitaries from both parties. Former Vice President Mondale, former Minnesota Secretary of State Joan Growe, and from the Republican party, GOP bon vivant Michael Brodkorb.

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12:11–We’re talking about global warming today.  Granted, none of Klobuchar’s colleagues across the aisle believe that global warming exists, but hey, they’re not in the majority right now, are they?

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12:10–Klobuchar is telling anecdotes about her experiences in Washington, including the time she almost ate the thousand island dressing at a Senate luncheon.  (She was saved by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.)

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12:07–Little known facts, Amy Klobuchar had her wedding reception in this very building.  She’s telling an anecdote about her dad (columnist Jim Klobuchar) breaking the microphone just before former Vice President Walter Mondale was going to talk at her wedding. 

I didn’t have any major international figures at my wedding.

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12:06–Working, and just in time!  Klobuchar is up, and thanking people.

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12:02–Larry Jacobs is welcoming us.  I’d be happy to be liveblogging this, but unfortunately, the U’s WiFi is presently down.  So I’m going to type merrily away in the (probably vain) hope that this will be resolved at some point.