Clearly this isn't a green building issue, but seriously how is it possible that the Republican-led House of Representatives made it an immediate priority to cancel the House cafeteria’s four years of biodegradable food and beverage packaging and bring back the Styrofoam?  This is a case of flipping the bird to former Speaker of the House - Nancy Pilosi, Dem's, the environment and clearly showing some lack of  initiative on the the GOP's part to create jobs and work on some serious budget issues.   

Given our current high and rising oil prices, producing these products that will take a half a millennium to break down, what is this high minded decision all about?  Clearly bio-degradable products are key, but if composting is not available, these products can't be placed in the recycle bin.   The initial cost is higher, but the long term goals of producing and composting everyday take-out products that are corn-based are a much better option the petroleum based products that may be cheap on the customer end of the production cycle, but cost more over  our lifetime. 

Green Inc., the environmental blog run by the New York Times, ran an article yesterday covering the recent letter sent to Obama regarding climate legislation within the United States. The authors of the letter are Senate Democrats considered swing votes on the topic of climate change and energy policy, and they came with several demands.

The letter specified 10 requirements to be met before they will give their support, and comes at the perfect time for such an action. President Obama will be attending Copenhagen next week where he will hopefully show that the US is supportive of a binding international treaty. Kyoto was a missed opportunity which led to an agreement that is now about to run out, and without significant results.