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O Defers Smog Rules; MoveOn Not Pleased
Facing fierce resistance from congressional Republicans, industry and some local officials, President Obama abruptly pulled back proposed smog standards Friday that would have compelled states and communities nationwide to reduce local air pollution or face federal penalties.He has always been for creating jobs. Besides, there will be time in his next term. Key GOP lawmakers had identified the Environmental Protection Agency's restrictions for ground-level ozone, along with other air pollution regulations they described as "job-destroying," as targets for a regulatory rollback this fall. Members of the business community had launched an all-out public relations blitz against the rules, saying that they should be delayed in light of the economic downturn. An all out blitz is needed to de-rail a job-killing environmental jugernaut, with left full rudder, a lot of power. In a statement, Obama praised EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's effort to improve the nation's air quality but said he had asked her to withdraw the draft standards because they were scheduled to be reconsidered two years from now anyway. I suppose that makes sense. To someone. "I have continued to underscore the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty, particularly as our economy continues to recover," Obama said. "Ultimately, I did not support asking state and local governments to begin implementing a new standard that will soon be reconsidered." In January 2010, Jackson announced that she would set the standard between 60 and 70 parts per billion. In July, she informed the Senate that the Bush ozone standards -- which will now remain in place -- "were not legally defensible given the scientific evidence in the record" of the current rulemaking. Scientific evidence like global worming? Nobody will have a job, but they'll all live forever.  Obama's decision was announced shortly after disheartening employment numbers were released Friday morning. It drew harsh reaction from environmentalists and their allies -- including a statement from MoveOn.org questioning why its members should work for the president's reelection -- highlighting the dangers the White House faces as it seeks middle ground among competing interests.Middle ground does not include MoveOn. Get over it. Meanwhile, Gene Karpinski, president of the League of Conservation Voters, said future rules to limit mercury and greenhouse-gas emissions from power plants "will be critical tests of how serious the administration is when it comes to fighting climate change." I knew we'd find climate change in here somewhere! Posted by: Bobby 2011-09-03 |
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