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Yesterday California Democrat Henry Waxman ousted his fellow Democrat John Dingell from the influential post of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair. Dingell, who represents Michigan and is a staunch supporter of the auto industry played a leading role for two decades as chairman in staving off environmental adaptations for American vehicles such as fuel efficiency and lower green-house gas emissions. In appointing Waxman to the post by a 137-122 vote, Democrats are empowering a Congressman with hefty green-friendly credentials. While environmental groups are celebrating the change, stock prices of the big-three automakers, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, fell in response to the news.

Steven Biel, Global Warming Campaign Director with Greenpeace. For more information, visit www.greenpeace.org.