The week starts off with President Bush’s final State of the Union address this evening.  During last year’s SOTU address, the President marked an historical shift in policy by acknowledging the existence of climate change and that its cause might be anthropogenic.  There is no word yet as to what the President might say this year regarding global warming, but at the very least he will take a measure of credit for the increases in fuel efficiency standards enacted in December.  The Democratic response, delivered by Kansas Governor Kathy Sebelius, will include a broader critique of the Administration’s inaction on climate change and the need to continue improving energy efficiency and alternative energy legislation.

While the House will adjourn early this week for Democratic members to attend their annual retreat, the Senate will hold two hearings on climate change, beginning with a Wednesday hearing in the Environment and Public Works Committee on efforts to add polar bears to the endangered species list due to loss of habitat by climate change.

On Thursday, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on carbon capture and sequestration technologies.

For further information about this topic, please contact Akin Gump.