Carper Meets Automakers

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) (Senator Tom) Carper (D-DE) told reporters he met Monday with automotive executives and encouraged them to aggressively push for unified fuel efficiency standards and tax incentives. "If the auto industry is serious about a 50-state deal, you've got to lobby," Carper said of his message to the executives.

"If you're anxious to see infrastructure that's friendly to electric-powered vehicles and hydrogen-powered vehicles, you have to make sure you're lobbying when we take up an extenders package," he added. Carper said the companies he met with included General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Hyundai, Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

Senate EPW Democrats get the chance to put (Acting EPA chief Andrew) Wheeler on the record at his confirmation hearing this morning — the only thing they can do since they likely cannot block his nomination.

While Democrats and greens argued against holding the hearing at all while the government remains partially shut down, the session will offer a sounding board to potential presidential candidates on the committee, as Democrats look to make environmental issues a priority in 2020, Pro's Anthony Adragna reports this morning.

Sens. Cory Booker, Jeff Merkley plan to be there, while Bernie Sanders office declined to comment on his plans. Another committee Democrat, Kirsten Gillibrand, announced last night she's forming an exploratory committee for president; her office did not respond to a request for comment on today's hearing.

"If you're running for president, this is actually a good hearing to show up for because this is a big deal," panel ranking member Tom Carper told reporters.

Some greens said they hoped the potential 2020 contenders show up and aggressively press Wheeler. "I want to see them. Seriously," RL Miller, founder of Climate Hawks Vote, told Anthony. "I want to see them doing their job at this hearing and not in Iowa running for president." Read more. READ MORE