The midterm elections have come and gone. And while mainstream media (particularly television outlets) will certainly miss the record-breaking cash spent on ad-buys, most people watching those ads will not. Republican wins in House, Senate and state-level races were the big news in energy and environmental politics this week, but not the only news...

Green business wizard Joel Makower points out, sustainability can still win elections, as was evidenced by California voters who bucked the national trend and sent a strong signal in support of the state's global warming and clean energy agenda by defeating Proposition 23. (GreenBiz)

The big climate and energy news coming out of New Mexico on Election Day had little to do with the election itself. The state's Environmental Improvement Board voted 4-3 to enact new greenhouse gas reporting and reduction rules, clearing the way for the state's participation in the Western Climate Initiative, a regional carbon market set to go into affect in 2012 (ecopolitology)

After big Republican wins on Election Day, the fate of U.S. high speed rail is uncertain. Cost-cutting conservatives running for state and federal offices across the country campaigned heavily against the construction of high speed rail corridors and infrastructure as part of their rhetorical punch against the Obama administration's federal investment policies. While it appears some projects are no in doubt, there are others that were likely bolstered by Tuesday's outcome. (The Transport Politic)

One of the Obama Administration's most aggressive officials on the regulation of greenhouse gases is resigning as policy chief at EPA. Lisa Heinzerling, who garnered cred in the environmental community for her work on the landmark 2007 U.S. Supreme Court case that gave EPA the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. (Politico)

Taking a page straight out of the Glenn Beck Czar-hunter playbook, one of the leading Republican contenders to chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, is vowing to end “the free pass of zero-accountability for Obama czars.” Among those in Rep. Upton's sights is Carol Browner, Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy. (The Hill)

Another House Republican, Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, the likely successor to chair the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, doesn't accept the science behind global warming. That is, if the committee isn't terminated by incoming House leadership. (ecopolitology)

Despite claims by some that voting for the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill in the House was a major factor in determining whether or not Democrats held onto their seats, it turns out that is mostly hyperbole. Apparently, how House members voted on climate change legislation was not a factor in Tuesday's big win for House Republicans. (Thoughts from Kansas - Science Blogs)

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