So, now, President Obama—in a surprising interview with Rolling Stone magazine—says he will again push for climate change legislation in 2011, despite his inability this year to make it happen in the halls of Congress. Here’s the telling quote:

One of my top priorities next year is to have an energy policy that begins to address all facets of our overreliance on fossil fuels. We may end up having to do it in chunks, as opposed to some sort of comprehensive omnibus legislation. But we’re going to stay on this because it is good for our economy, it’s good for our national security and, ultimately, it’s good for our environment.

Politico dug into the interview and came up with this thought:

Obama didn’t elaborate on specific pieces he’d like to see move in the next version of energy and climate legislation, but ideas floating around on Capitol Hill include a nationwide standard for renewables and a limit just on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

Of course, as Politico noted, next year is an election year and Obama’s public statements are aimed at reinvigorating green elements of his base, just as they are likely to reinvigorate those on the opposite side who are out to quash any chance of a potent clean energy bill.