Liberal Barbara Boxer now chairwoman of Senate environmental committee

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California will soon take over as chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Environmental Public Works Committee. Major policy shifts on global warming, air quality and toxic waste are expected as she is one of the most liberal members of the Senate. And she's replacing one of the most conservative Republicans, James Inhofe of Oklahoma. He had blocked bills seeking to cut greenhouse gases, calling global warming a "hoax." Environmentalists are cheering the change. Boxer is likely to model her approach after California laws that cap greenhouse gases and seek to cut CA emissions by 25 percent. She's also a proponent of alternative-fuel programs.

[Source: Samantha Young/Associated Press via Fort Worth Star-Telegram]