Wednesday - January 14, 2015

Obama Slams EPA Brakes On Recovering Economy?

The Obama administration pushed new regulations Wednesday aimed at cutting methane emissions from the natural gas sector, calling the proposed rules a needed step to address global warming as industry groups warned the move would threaten “America’s energy renaissance.”

Relying once again on the Clean Air Act, the rules—the first of their kind—join a host of others that President Obama has ordered in an effort to slow global warming despite opposition in Congress that has only hardened since the midterm elections.

Although just a sliver of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, methane is more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

The White House set a new target for the U.S. to cut methane emissions by 40 percent to 45 percent by 2025, compared with 2012 levels. To meet that goal, the Environmental Protection Agency will issue a proposal affecting oil and gas production, while the Interior Department will update its standards for drilling to reduce leakage from wells on public lands.

The American Petroleum Institute, which represents the oil and gas industry, decried the proposal—questioning why the government would seek new rules when methane emissions have fallen.

“Even with that knowledge, the White House has singled out oil and natural gas for regulation,” API President Jack Gerard said in a statement.

He predicted emissions would continue to fall without government intervention, but said, “another layer of burdensome requirements could actually slow down industry progress to reduce methane emissions.”

Further, he said new regulations “could threaten the shale energy revolution.”

“We need our government to implement sound policies, but this plan seems to be based on politics,” Gerard said.

Yeah, well, no kidding. Even when the economy had the audacity to start to heal, all based on the success of the petro industry DESPITE all this regime’s new rules and regulations and refusal to allow use of federal land, refusal to sign Keystone XL, and so on, now that gas is getting close to being affordable once again for the first time in ages and ages, now the leftist tree humper wants to throw another big speed bump in the way, to take away any hope we might finally have a bit of positive change? Because of Global Warming? As another polar vortex grips the nation for another winter, and snow falls in Saudi Arabia for the 3rd year in a row? That one? The one that doesn’t friggin’ exist?

How much is it going to take to throw this bum out?

Do I need to ask, whose side is this guy on?

The oil and gas industry has insisted such rules aren’t necessary because the industry is already working to reduce methane leakage. After all, methane is natural gas, so the less that leaks during production, the more of it that companies have left to sell.

“We’re doing a good job,” said Howard Feldman, the regulatory director at the American Petroleum Institute. He noted that existing pollution rules on smog-forming pollutants have had the added benefit of cutting methane. “We don’t think it’s necessary to go after methane in any way, shape or form.”

Well duh. Like business is going to just piss away income that they have the ability to collect? So they need new rules to stop them? What kind of commie thinking is that?

Posted by Drew458     on 01/14/2015 at 03:02 PM   
Filed Under: • Economics • Obama, The One • Oil, Alternative Energy, and Gas Prices •  
• Comments (4) • Trackbacks(0)  Permalink •  

DISCLAIMER

THE SERVICES AND MATERIALS ON THIS WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE HOSTS OF THIS SITE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICE OR ANY MATERIALS.

Not that very many people ever read this far down, but this blog was the creation of Allan Kelly and his friend Vilmar. Vilmar moved on to his own blog some time ago, and Allan ran this place alone until his sudden and unexpected death partway through 2006. We all miss him. A lot. Even though he is gone this site will always still be more than a little bit his. We who are left to carry on the BMEWS tradition owe him a great debt of gratitude, and we hope to be able to pay that back by following his last advice to us all:

1. Keep a firm grasp of Right and Wrong
2. Stay involved with government on every level and don't let those bastards get away with a thing
3. Use every legal means to defend yourself in the event of real internal trouble, and, most importantly:
4. Keep talking to each other, whether here or elsewhere

It's been a long strange trip without you Skipper, but thanks for pointing us in the right direction and giving us a swift kick in the behind to get us going. Keep lookin' down on us, will ya? Thanks.

THE INFORMATION AND OTHER CONTENTS OF THIS WEBSITE ARE DESIGNED TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS WEBSITE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ALL PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE AMERICAN COURTS. IF ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE IS CONSTRUED AS BEING CONTRARY TO THE LAWS APPLICABLE IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY, THEN THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ACCESSED BY PERSONS FROM THAT COUNTRY AND ANY PERSONS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO SUCH LAWS SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO USE OUR SERVICES UNLESS THEY CAN SATISFY US THAT SUCH USE WOULD BE LAWFUL.

Copyright © 2004-2015 Domain Owner