Archive for the ‘Climate Change’ Category

Harry Reid announced yesterday, July 22 that he does not have the votes for a broad energy bill (aka climate change bill, aka legislation to curb US carbon emissions). Reid is still expected to introduce an energy bill next week that would implement offshore drilling reforms, promote natural-gas vehicles, promote energy-efficient houses and businesses, and perhaps include a target for electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar.

Meanwhile according to a New York Times article “Efforts to Block EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Regulations Back in Play” Dated July 23, 2010. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid plans to allow a vote this year on a two-year postponement of EPA action to impose regulations on carbon emissions on stationary sources.

Additional information in Reuters article dated July 23 – “Senate climate bill in peril as Democrats delay action”

On April 20, an explosion of a BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in a ruptured well.  The ruptured well has been gushing oil for over two months. Instead of solid support for the cleanup and getting the best proposals to control the leak we see  …

• The Obama Administration imposing a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling. In spite of a U.S.  District Judge ruling that the edict violates the law, the administration has appealed the injunction. It is estimated that 40,000 jobs are at stake if the moratorium is imposed.
• The Obama Administration is proceeding to work on a “comprehensive energy and climate bill”.  The Obama Administration continues to attack fossil fuels and push wind and solar.
• Congress is expected to use “backroom” tactics to pass Climate legislation.  After the outrage over the procedures used to pass the Health Care Legislation (Obamacare), it appears that Harry Reid is considering similar tactics to push this Climate/Energy Legislation thru.

Select “read the rest of this entry” for links to articles supporting these statements.

Read the rest of this entry »

We liked this cartoon from “The Gentleman from Lickskillet” comic strip by Steven J. Allen and Kevin Tuma. This cartoon strip describes the adventures of Congressman Randall Dill, his family, constituents and adversaries. Click here to visit The Gentleman from Lickskillet website.

On June 10, 2010 … the US Senate debated Joint Resolution 26 – a resolution to disapprove a rule submitted by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) on December 15, 2009 relating to greenhouse gasses. After over 6 hours of debate the US Senate voted against the resolution 53 to 47.  You can view the entire session at CSpan Video Library


According to Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), because this (i.e., EPA action) is our worst option to reduce emissions and Congress needs time to develop a more appropriate solution, I have introduced a resolution of disapproval … I introduced this back in January … to halt the EPA’s regulations.  My resolution does not affect the science behind the endangerment finding, but it will prevent the finding from being enforced through economy-wide regulations.

 About the Opposition

Most of the comments by Senators opposing Resolution 26 were “red herrings” … about their confidence that the scientific findings were compelling, about fuel standards and about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of reasoned debate, we got political theatre! Did they read the bill?… did they read the EPA rule? … or did they use Barbara Boxer’s talking points to prepare their comments? Read the rest of this entry »

The Senate is scheduled to vote on S.J.Res 26 – A joint resolution disapproving a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the endangerment finding and the cause or contribute findings for greenhouse gases under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act.  The Resolution is sponsored by Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).  If passed this resolution would block the EPA from using the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon emissions.  Check C-Span schedule for Thursday, the senate will be debating this for 10 hours according the The New York Times.  Click here for an article posted at Townhall.com on June 6, 2010

For excellent information about climate change issues, we suggest you view coverage of the Heartland Institute’s 4th Annual International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC-4) – a worldwide gathering of global warming “realists” – held in Chicago, IL, on May 16-18. PJTV will offer viewers videos and analysis from each keynote speaker as well as a number of the conference events.
More than 700 people — including a good many scientists, along with economists, policy analysts, and legislators — gathered together to  discuss the once-settled but increasingly controversial proposition of an anthroprogenic global warming (AGW) crisis. There was general agreement to explore real-world facts and test the assertions of alarmists. The presenters and audience members continually asked whether the data says what the modelers say it does.
Videos of the presentations at the conference can be found at Heartland Institute Web site…get informed.

Article updated May 25, 2010: Both White House and EPA are in denial regarding the  once-settled but increasingly controversial proposition of an anthroprogenic global warming (AGW) crisis and therefore the need to control greenhouse gas emissions.  In Congress we see new legislation both for and against more government control of GHGs.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are a few quotes from a FOXNews article updated April 26, 2010. Title of Article “Climate Scientist, Heated Up Over Satirical video, Threatens Lawsuit”

The revelations of the leaked e-mails brought into question the methodology used to prove the Earth is getting hotter, and the phrase “hide the decline” became a catchphrase for questioning a human role in global warming.

The guy is crazy to threaten legal action,” said Jeff Davis, the President of No Cap and Trade, a large organization that includes the group Mann is threatening to sue, Minnesotans for Global Warming. “A lawsuit would give us full discovery — and there’s a lot to look at in his work.”

update May 14, 2010 – Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has begun an investigation of Michael Mann. Mann recieved nearly half a million dollars in state grant-funded climate research … if the Virginia AG uncovers evidence of impropriety, the school could be commanded to return the funds, and pick up the cost of the AG’s investigation.  Here is more info in a FOX News article and at Climate Change Fraud blog.

Americans for Prosperity is hitting the road with their Regulation Reality Tour featuring the Carbon Cops who will issue a citation for anything from filling up your gas tank to using your heat or electricity.

The Tour will be in Colorado Apr 19-21. We will post additional information as it becomes available. Don’t miss this event!

April 3, 2010 – EPA issues rules on vehicle greenhouse gas emissions  and states line up to legally challenge the new regulations. 

In the last few month various bills have been introduced (or are being drafted) by Congress … Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) asserts that greenhouse gas regulation would be better done by Congress than by an appointed agency.  House Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-North Dakota) states that the Clean Air Act was not developed for greenhouse gas emissions, and it does not work to try and shoehorn greenhouse gas emissions into this statute.

In 2007, The Supreme Court ruled that greenhouse gases are air pollutants covered by the Clean Air Act.  The EPA was directed to determine whether GHG from vehicles cause or contribute to air pollution and that this pollution may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.

In 2007, there was consensus on human-caused global warming and associated climate change predictions.  Now significant questions have been raised. Questions about the quality of the science behind the assumptions.  Also there are many  unanswered questions regarding air quality… how to measure, what level of “pollution” is a threat to “public health and welfare”, cost/benefit issues, etc.

We are in agreement that rulings made in 2007 need to be revisited …   here are some articles to help you get informed.

• FOX News article – More States Sue EPA as Agency Issues First Climate Change Regulations
• Article at SolveClimate.com – Mar 3, 2010 – EPA’s authority to regulate Greenhouse Gases comes under fire from all angles – article supplies many links to help you get informed.
• EPA.gov – Climate Change – Regulatory Initiatives
• Article by Thomas Pyle at the DailyCaller – Energy and Climate, March Madness-style