The President touts action on climate change in his State of the Union address, but Congress doesn’t follow his lead. This week in CIB.

Washington Watch: SOTU and the Climate Action Debate

In his first State of the Union address last week to a skeptical Congress completely under opposition control, President Obama gave no ground on the urgent need for action to address climate change, declaring that “no challenge – no challenge – poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.”

He noted that 2014 globally was the hottest year on record, and that 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have fallen in the first 15 years of the 21st century. He pointed out that NASA, NOAA, and “the best scientists in the world” have concluded that human activities are causing climate change, and that even the Pentagon has determined that it represents “immediate risks to our national security.”

Earlier in his address, Obama had noted developments which he said contributed both to reductions in foreign oil dependency and “protecting the planet”, specifically that “America is number one in wind power. Every three weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008.”

Obama also cited the “historic” joint announcement with China of new commitments to control carbon pollution, and the impacts that is having in leading to more commitments from other nations. He declared that “I will not let this Congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts.”

The full text of last week’s State of the Union address can be read here.

Acting in the wake of Obama’s strong words, Congress has shown that his concerns about their attempting to turn back progress are well founded. Both chambers are voting on bills to force approval of the dirty oil-transporting Keystone XL pipeline, and the Senate refused to back language acknowledging the human causation of ongoing climate change.

We regret to note that both North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and newly-elected Thom Tillis are actively urging the United States in the wrong direction on climate change and offshore energy. They co-sponsored an amendment to the Keystone XL pipeline bill which would require the executive branch to set up procedures for leasing and drilling for oil and gas off the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic states’ coasts, including that of North Carolina.

NCLCV has signed onto a joint letter with other citizen groups opposing that amendment, on grounds that “Expanded offshore oil and gas drilling would damage coastal economies and ecosystems, keep our nation dependent on fossil fuels, and increase carbon pollution.” The letter further notes that offshore wind development “would create more than twice as many jobs, and in 20 years, it would produce more than twice the energy.”

Coast Watch: Feds Propose NC Offshore Wind

Speaking of offshore wind development, there was positive movement last week from the federal agency responsible for overseeing energy development in coastal waters. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released an environmental assessment supporting the potential lease sale of over 300,000 acres in three areas off the North Carolina coast. (One of the areas is off the northern Outer Banks and two are closer to Wilmington.)

A spokesperson for the oceans conservation group Oceana said, “We are really pleased that the administration is continuing down the offshore wind path. This is a big step forward, especially for North Carolina because of its abundant wind.”

A 30-day public comment period, including three public meetings, is now underway. You can find more details on the process here.

Education & Resources: Action for Faith Institutions

Continuing with their workshops on practical options for reducing pollution and cutting contributions to climate change through energy efficiency, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) is holding a webinar this week on “Savings and Stewardship: Energy Efficiency in Worship Facilities.”

The webinar will be held this Thursday, January 29, from 7-8 p.m. Click here for details and registration.

That’s our report for this week.