New environmental regulations to be implemented in California would require special auto glass to reflect heat and reduce the need for air-conditioning. The law may require Chrysler to stop selling soft-top Wranglers and only offer the hard top, full-glass version of the popular Jeep. The regulations could also limit cell phone, GPS and other radio signals.
The Goreacle is a strange duck. For some reason, he’s equating himself to Winston Churchill trying to convince the world the Nazis were out-of-control. There is a big difference between the Nazis tearing across Europe and, well, the normal warming and cooling of the planet.
Do not feel safe with the knowledge that Congress is trying to work out a compromise on the Cap and Trade energy bill. I know some are thinking that, if the compromise bill is passed, at least for the moment, this country won’t be brought to its knees. You think, as this administration wants you to, that we will still be competitive in the world’s markets as our products will not carry the imbedded cost, aka, tax, of paying for a permit that will allow the manufacture our products. And, you think, our energy bills may not rise for another ten years. So, maybe life is good, after all. Not so.
The Pandora’s Box, opened by the EPA’s declaration on April 17 that carbon is a threat to the public health, is far more cavernous than you could have imagined. Whether Congress reaches a compromise on this bill or not, this country will suffer. And, here’s one reason why.
Having determined that carbon is a “threat”, anyone in this country who chooses to do so can now sue any manufacturer, power plant, oil refinery, airport, or even your local dairy farm because it is emitting carbon. Industrious lawyers throughout the country are drafting “class action” lawsuits even as we speak, because, after all, carbon is a “threat”.
The net effect of these lawsuits, other than the obvious increase in the cost of products to pay the legal fees, will be a patch-work quilt of case law defining how much carbon emission is “dangerous”. Depending upon the jurisdiction in which you live, you will either have a a manufacturer who employs thousands, or a manufacturer that is forced to shut its doors and move to a more “carbon friendly” jurisdiction.
The pronouncement by the EPA that carbon is a threat, without accompanying regulations as to how much carbon is a threat, was insanity. So, let the litigation begin.
Many people look on Monday with dread and gloom, but for the next couple of years I think I need to replace T.G.I.F. with D.G.I.F. – “Dear God, it’s Friday.” This afternoon while driving down the street on a quick errand, I was treated to the following three stories on WTIC:
1) EPA Takes First Step Toward Regulating Pollution Linked to Climate Change (FoxNews.com)
WASHINGTON — The debate on global warming is set to heat up again with the Obama administration’s release on Friday of an EPA proposed finding that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and welfare.The finding is the first step to regulating pollution linked to climate change.
2) Guidelines for broader stem cell research unveiled (CNN.com)
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Obama administration released a draft of guidelines for federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research Friday.
Under the new guidelines, federal funding would be allowed only for research using human embryonic stem cells from embryos created solely for reproductive purposes by in vitro fertilization. The embryos would have to no longer be needed for reproduction, and the donors would have to consent to their use for research.
3) Appeals Court Cancels Drilling Program Off Alaska Coast (FoxNews.com)
WASHINGTON — A program to expand oil and gas drilling off the Alaska coast was canceled Friday by a federal appeals court that ruled the Bush administration did not properly study the environmental impact.
A three-judge panel in Washington found that the Bush-era Interior Department failed to consider the effect on the environment and marine life before it began the process in August 2005 to expand an oil and gas leasing program in the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi seas.
Ah, Friday afternoon – the end of the weekly news cycle and the best time to bury stories that you want to keep in the shadows.
To think that these three topics were the focus of such outrage from the left for weeks on end during the Bush administration and during the election. So now that “good” has finally triumphed, why does this come up on a Friday afternoon? These should be the lead stories on Monday so that proper accolades can be given to those fearless Obama administration officials dedicated to righting the wrongs.
“Here, here!” the media should shout, ” We’ll have no drilling in Alaska thank you very much. Especially now that Obama is on the path for green energy.”
“And hurrah! Taxpayers can finally fund experiments on humans, but of course we can’t condone embryo factories – that would be too obvious. So we’ll just have to compensate the fertility clinics then. That’s good, they can use the extra cash.”
“And who would have thought that the old joke could come true? Finally a way to tax every one’s last breath! Brilliant job guys and gals!”
I can only say, D.G.I.F.