Category: Climate & Energy

Senate Dem writes Obama about EPA job-killing

Greenwire reports that Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown has complained to President Obama about the threat to jobs posed by EPA greenhouse gas regulation. Brown’s letter to Obama stated,

“…Without careful consideration, the unintended consequences of imprudent regulation could ultimately undermine our shared objectives of reducing GHG emissions and spurring economic growth… It is disconcerting that, to my knowledge, the EPA has neither a plan in place nor the authority to provide these protections to U.S. manufacturing, a sector of the economy critical to the continued economic recovery of my state and so many others…”

If enough Senate Democrats get antsy about the EPA regs, Obama will be forced to give up his dream of advancing socialism through greenhouse gas regulation.

Click for Brown’s media release and letter.
Click here for the greens’ meltdown.

First sign of Obama caving on EPA regulation?

In “Barack Obama may be forced to delay US climate action” (The Guardian, Feb. 28), prominent green activist Eileen Claussen is quoted as saying,

“If I was predicting, I would say that [Obama] might sign a delay provision, to delay the EPA effort for two years or something like that. It probably depends on the particular circumstances… I would bet that if it was a delay, and it was part of a money bill that was really important, he would sign it.”

If Obama really is considering this move, it would merely be a ploy to help get him past the 2012 election, after which time, his EPA could then get back to regulating greenhouse gases.

Republicans ought not fall for a trick that doesn’t help our economy (a two-year delay simply extends energy sector uncertainty), and possibly helps Obama’s re-election chances.

Wimp & Sellout Watch No. 7

While we have high hopes that the newly empowered Republican Members of Congress will make every effort to fight the socialization of America, we are also aware that the GOP has an ignominious history of wimping- and/or selling-out, especially on environmental issues. Wimp & Sellout Watch is GreenHellBlog’s effort to spotlight the GOP’s weak links because:

In the 112th Congress, it should take more courage for GOP-ers to retreat than to advance.

Today’s update on potential wimps and sellouts to watch:

House GOP leadership. Greenwire reports,

House Republicans are preparing a two-week government funding bill for debate next week that amounts to a short-term version of the $60 billion in federal cuts they approved last week — but without that longer legislation’s restrictive riders on U.S. EPA and other agencies…

A House GOP aide confirmed that the two-week CR will not include language barring EPA from implementing its politically volatile greenhouse gas emissions rules, its transition to a higher ethanol blend in transportation fuels, its pending limits on water pollution from coal mining operations and other riders that Republicans attached to their seven-month CR before its final passage early Saturday.

Cantor, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and their lieutenants today repeatedly said the newest CR amounts to the GOP’s second attempt to avert a shutdown, compared with the lack of action on a CR in the upper chamber.

“If they walk away from this offer, they are then actively engineering a government shutdown,” Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) told reporters, describing his conference’s new CR as “a commitment to keep the government open” beyond the current funding bill’s expiration. [Emphasis added]

Yeesh…..

Don’t forget to check out previous editions of Wimp & Sellout Watch:

  • No. 6 — Spotlighting Rep. Mike Simpson.
  • No. 5 — Spotlighting Rep. Fred Upton.
  • No. 4 — Spotlighting Rep. Fred Upton.
  • No. 3 — Spotlighting Rep. Mike Simpson.
  • No. 2 — Spotlighting Sens. Lindsey Graham and Rob Portman.
  • No. 1 — Spotlighting Sens. Chuck Grassley, Rob Portman, Lindsey Graham and Scott Brown, and Rep. Fred Upton.

NYT: Solar Energy Faces Tests On Greenness

“Just weeks after regulators approved the last of nine multibillion-dollar solar thermal power plants to be built in the Southern California desert, a storm of lawsuits and the resurgence of an older solar technology are clouding the future of the nascent industry.” (New York Times)

Ever thought the greenies are just plain anti-energy?

Marcellus shale gas 'dirtier' than coal?

That’s what Cornell scientists claim, but two times a non-detectable effect is still a non-detectable effect. Baltimore Sun

Democrats use popguns on the EPA

by Steve Milloy
Charleston Daily Mail, February 24, 2011

Candidate Joe Manchin famously took “dead aim” at the cap-and-trade bill last year with a high-powered rifle. But now, Sen. Manchin is infamously going after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s backdoor cap-and-trade with a popgun. Continue reading Democrats use popguns on the EPA

Glover: Gasland’s Fracking Nonsense

“… Gasland is, by turns, eloquent, congenial and emotional. But then so is Sesame Street…” Gasland’s Fracking Nonsense, Energy Tribune

Wrightstone: Marcellus Shale Facts

“This white paper will serve to provide factual information concerning the Marcellus Shale.” Marcellus Shale Facts, Energy Tribune

Solomon: Green power menaces Ontario mining

Politically correct green power projects could kill multi-billion dollar mining development. Northern Ontario’s gain may come at Southern Ontario’s pain.

Greens threaten wind, solar permitting

Check out this Politico report about environmentalists threatening the permitting process for wind and solar projects: Continue reading Greens threaten wind, solar permitting

What is a 'Clean Energy Standard'?

Although cap-and-trade is dead, its subsidy-seeking corporate advocates have not gone away. They have simply re-branded their cause as “clean energy” and are now lobbying for a so-called “clean energy standard” (CES). Continue reading What is a 'Clean Energy Standard'?

Wimp & Sellout Watch — No. 6

While we have high hopes that the newly empowered Republican Members of Congress will make every effort to fight the socialization of America, we are also aware that the GOP has an ignominious history of wimping- and/or selling-out, especially on environmental issues. Wimp & Sellout Watch is GreenHellBlog’s effort to spotlight the GOP’s weak links because:

In the 112th Congress, it should take more courage for GOP-ers to retreat than to advance.

Today’s update on potential wimps and sellouts to watch:

Rep. Mike Simpson. Environment & Energy News PM reported last Friday that:

A key House appropriator said today that he does not expect a disagreement over pre-emption of U.S. EPA’s greenhouse gas emissions rules to lead to a shutdown of the federal government.

A new law must be enacted by March 4 to continue funding federal programs. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who heads the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, said that while House Republicans feel strongly that EPA regulation of carbon dioxide should be prevented, he does not believe his colleagues will refuse to pass spending legislation if it does not include language to do that.

“I doubt it,” he told reporters, when asked about the conflict.

Simpson stressed that Republican leaders had no interest in the kind of standoff that resulted in a shutdown of the federal government in 1995.

“Nobody’s talking about a government shutdown,” he said. “Nobody wants a government shutdown. Leadership does not want a government shutdown.”

But Simpson did not rule out the possibility.

“Could it ultimately, in negotiations between the House and the Senate, end up there? Sure, anything’s possible,” he added.

Hey Rep. Wimpson, if there’s not a credible threat of a shutdown, then the  Democrats will not rein in the EPA — you can bank on that, buddy.

Don’t forget to check out previous editions of Wimp & Sellout Watch:

  • No. 5 — Spotlighting Rep. Fred Upton.
  • No. 4 — Spotlighting Rep. Fred Upton.
  • No. 3 — Spotlighting Rep. Mike Simpson.
  • No. 2 — Spotlighting Sens. Lindsey Graham and Rob Portman.
  • No. 1 — Spotlighting Sens. Chuck Grassley, Rob Portman, Lindsey Graham and Scott Brown, and Rep. Fred Upton.