Awhile back, someone started a discussion regarding the direction Waxman would take Congressional energy policy. Those questions may have been answered with the appointment of Rep. Markey (D-MA) to chair the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on energy and the environment.

THE TIMES STORY

"The elevation is good news for environmentalists. My colleague John Broder has described Mr. Markey as “a frustrated advocate for automobile fuel efficiency and energy conservation legislation in his 15 terms in Congress.”

In November, the Michigan Congressman John Dingell — a longtime auto industry advocate — was ousted from the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and replaced with Henry A. Waxman, a California Democrat favored by environmentalists, who is expected to act more aggressively on matters like climate change.

According to The Globe, Mr. Markey already is chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

The appointment may speed action on climate change, and is also 'good news for Waxman,' writes Frank O’Donnell of the Clean Air Watch in a blog. 'As chairman of the full committee, Waxman needs someone with juice to stake out a position to his political left [I didn't know that was possible]. Markey is just the person to do this.'"