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July 1, 2009

BENCH SITTIN' — Protecting the environment

By Randy Cowling, Managing Editor

June 30, 2009 — As Congress adjorned for its July 4 break it passed a controversial energy bill pushed by the Obama Administration.

Depending on which side of the political spectrum one listens to it either will raise everyone’s taxes and cost thousands of jobs, or it will pave the way for green energy jobs and take steps to save the environment.

HR 2454 — the American Clean Energy and Security Act bill narrowly passed in the House and faces stiff opposition when the Senate returns to Washington D. C. from its vacation.

Obama says the bill would create incentives to bring a clean energy transformation across the country. By 2020 the legislation would require all U.S. emissions to decline by 17 percent.

It establishes a new market where industry trades its greenhouses gases. If one produces too much it can get credits by giving it over to companies that don’t produce a significant amount.

Better known as cap and trade, the Oklahoma delegation opposed the bill in the House.

We all know how oil is king in Oklahoma. We all know that this legislation also pushes the U.S. toward less dependence on foreign oil and conservation.

For a state that depends on the dividends of oil, it’s difficult to embrace such words as conservation, energy efficient and lower gasoline prices.

The bill is likely to receive a major overhaul when it gets spit out of the Senate, if it does.

This legislation, while not the best, is something that Americans need to grapple with and find a solution.

It will not be easy. Anytime one looks to cut back on the basic resources it depends on, a reverberation of shock waves will begin.

Change is never easy. Dramatic change like this bill can be traumatic.

The question is do we want a cleaner, less polluted environment for our children’s children to breath?

If measures are not taken in the immediate future, everyone should look to purchase a supply of gas masks. The sky is not falling yet, but without a major shift in policy concerning emissions America along with the rest of its global neighbors will soon be forced to take even stronger steps to protect its citizens from the dirty air.

Instead of political posturing it would be refreshing to hear some intelligent discussion from our Oklahoma delegation about ways to reduce carbon emissions and create a cleaner environment.

That cannot happen as long as our leaders in the Senate continue to deny there is a problem.

There is no climate change conspiracy. There is no man behind the curtain creating an illusion of polluted rivers, lakes and streams.

It is a reality we face now and future generations will inherit, all because we were too stubborn or defiant to take action.

Those who suggest the climate problems and environmental blights are not man made, should harken back to the first chapters of Genesis, where Adam and Eve violated the only rule given them. When they did their pristine environment began to become polluted. From the beginning mankind has been its own worst enemy when it comes to the environment.

Isn’t it time we started protecting our environment instead of our pocketbook?

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