The Week in Coal - 2/24/10

from sierra club (0.00 / 0)

EPA Letter Responds to Senators' Concerns, Clarifies Plans for New Carbon Regulations Under the Clean Air Act

Washington, D.C.--Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson today sent a letter to Senator Jay Rockefeller in response to a letter he and seven other senators sent to EPA on Friday, February 19.  Jackson's letter outlines EPA's plan for moving foward with new regulations for the largest carbon polluters and responds to several concerns raised by senators.  It also raises numerous red flags about the ongoing campaign to gut the Clean Air Act. You can read the letter here.

Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director

"This letter from EPA Administrator Jackson silences the Big Oil-backed disinformation campaign being waged against the Clean Air Act. Members of Congress should rely on these straightforward answers from the Environmental Protection Agency instead of the disingenuous smear campaign being waged by polluters.

"Administrator Jackson has laid out a reasonable timeline for new regulations for big carbon polluters under the Clean Air Act.  Just as it has with other pollutants for 40 years, EPA has now made crystal clear that it will address global warming pollution in a way that benefits both our economy and our environment.

"EPA also successfully demonstrates just how sweeping an assault on the Clean Air Act is being proposed by Senator Murkowski and others.  EPA states that undermining the Clean Air Act would imperil important new rules to raise fuel economy standards and reduce emissions from our vehicles.  The historic new auto rules--supported by environmentalists, unions, and the auto industry alike--would also save consumers $50 a month and cut oil use by 1.8 billion barrels.  To do away with these rules would be nothing but a shameful bailout for Big Oil.  The Senate has been unable to do anything on energy independence and now some senators want to do even less.

"The legislation being proposed by Senator Murkowski could even cut off  badly needed funds for her own home state of Alaska to adapt to the impacts of climate change that are already occurring.

"It's time for Senators to dispense with these distractions and instead move forward with comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation that will cut pollution, fix our economy, and make America energy independent."

---

by: Clem Guttata @ Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 10:47:37 AM UTC

the fact (0.00 / 0)

that a measly 5 grand cant be raised to spring the guy speaks volumnes as to the strength, or really lack there of, of the cause...i mean come on,really??!?!?

---

by: stevewvu @ Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 18:19:59 PM UTC

Cash only bond. This should be10%, $500 and out. (4.00 / 1)

Staying in has become part of the protest.  

NFTT: Support My Team or I Will Dance

---

by: CA Berkeley WV @ Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 23:18:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

if (0.00 / 0)

staying in is part of the protest who gives a crap what the bond is? please, somebody come up with the pocket change needed to set this man free!!

---

by: stevewvu @ Thu Feb 25, 2010 at 14:42:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Stevewvu, why don't you put your money where your mouth is? (0.00 / 0)

If it's just pocket change to you, then you should send them the cash. You'll be glad you did.

Anyone who watched how IRA change the way the world viewed them knows about their famous (and ultimately successful) prison protests, beginning with the prison guards who actually sympathized with them and eventually ending with 10 dying due to their prolonged hunger strikes.

By ultimately successful, I am referring to Sinn Fein leaders winning world support in the fight for Irish self-determination, and the end of the British occupation of Northern Ireland.

So the occupation of the jails actually made history, signified by Bill Clinton's famous peace mission to Northern Ireland and England, underscored by Hillary Clinton's recent visit there to help push the peace process along.

Since you're obviously biased against treehuggers, weavystevie, perhaps your best bet would be to bail 'em out asap and buy 'em all a good meal.

---

by: One Citizen @ Thu Feb 25, 2010 at 20:08:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

lets do this (0.00 / 0)

lets have West Virginia adopt the Compelling Criminal
Protest provision to its unemployment compensation scheme...then when somebody gets arrested for breaking the law, and who has a reasonable justification for doing so, well since they are in prison and unable to work they can sign up for unemployment benefits (they of course would have to sign a sworn statement affirming that while they are in prision they are actively looking for work either making liscense plates or doing laundry or peeling potatoes etc.) ...they could then use the free money to either post bail or if they elect, they can stay in jail  in which case the money would automatically be paid over fund the additional cost of ultrasounds which need to be given to women considering abortions...win,win

---

by: stevewvu @ Thu Feb 25, 2010 at 20:51:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

yeahbuddy... (0.00 / 0)

---

by: One Citizen @ Thu Feb 25, 2010 at 23:00:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]