ENERGY
CAP’s energy team is looking to a new Congress and new presidential leadership to begin the transition to a clean energy economy. Our energy experts this week layed out 10 ways that President-elect Obama can immediately improve energy and environmental policy upon taking office. And Joseph Romm showed how Congress can set a tougher emissions target for 2020.
PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS
The Obama administration’s political appointees are already working their way through Congress. Top picks often move quickly, but a new report released on Thursday shows that lower, but still crucial, positions take more time to fill. The report outlines six steps that the incoming administration can take to move appointments through more quickly and ensure that agencies are working at high staff levels.
SCIENCE PROGRESS
Science Progress, the Center for American Progress’ project and magazine focusing on science and technology policy, released its Fall/Winter 2008/2009 print edition this week at an event (video available) on “Enabling Economic Recovery Through Innovation." The issue focuses on developing regional centers of innovation, tackling the challenge of patent reform, and addressing government contracting run amok.
IRAQI REFUGEES
Tens of thousands of Iraqis have served with the U.S. military and other organizations during the past five and a half years. Now these U.S.-affiliated Iraqis are being targeted as traitors and their lives are in danger. Natalie Ondiak and Brian Katulis this week proposed “Operation Safe Haven Iraq 2009," which would airlift these endangered Iraqis out of the country. You can read about their plan, hear stories from U.S.-affiliated Iraqis, and watch experts and Iraqis discuss the issue.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
Changes in federal funding for embryonic stem cell research could be just around the corner. The upshot: the United States can finally get serious about providing its scientists with guidelines for moving forward with the research responsibly. A new report, “A Life Sciences Crucible," was released today at an event featuring Amy Comstock Rick and John Gearhart. The report provides ethical guidelines for proceeding with stem cell research.