http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/environment/ en-us Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:33:47 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286483/posts The boys in green are coming as the Environment Agency sets up a squad to police companies generating excessive CO2 emissions. The agency is creating a unit of about 50 auditors and inspectors, complete with warrant cards and the power to search company premises to enforce the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), which comes into effect next year. Decked out in green jackets, the enforcers will be able to demand access to company property, view power meters, call up electricity and gas bills and examine carbon-trading records for an estimated 6,000 British businesses. Ed Mitchell, head of business performance and regulation... The Times Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286483/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 14:33:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286175/posts PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 455 PM EDT WED JUL 1 2009 ...UNUSUALLY WET AND COOL JUNE FOR CENTRAL PARK... ...HERE ARE THE TOP TEN COOLEST AND WETTEST JUNES ON RECORD SINCE 1869 FOR CENTRAL PARK NY: COOLEST WETTEST AVG. TEMP. YEAR INCHES PRECIP. YEAR 64.2 1903 10.27 2003 65.2 1881 10.06 2009 65.7 1916 9.78 1903 66.8 1926/1902 9.30 1972 67.2 1958 8.79 1989 67.3 1927 8.55 2006 67.4 1928 7.76 1887 67.5 2009/1897 7.58 1975 67.7 1878 7.13 1938 67.8 1924 7.05 1871 DUE TO THE UNUSUALLY COOL AND WET CONDITIONS IN JUNE...HERE ARE... National Weather Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286175/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 00:14:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285342/posts The Supreme Court heard five environmental law cases in the term that ended Monday, and environmental groups lost every time. It was, said Richard J. Lazarus, a director of the Supreme Court Institute at Georgetown University Law Center, “the worst term ever” for environmental interests. The court allowed Navy exercises using sonar that threatened whales off California. It limited the liability of companies partly responsible for toxic spills. It made it harder to challenge Forest Service regulations and easier to dump mining waste into an Alaskan lake. And it allowed the Environmental Protection Agency to use cost-benefit analysis to decide... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285342/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 11:19:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2284993/posts July 1, 2009 Dear William, Thank you for contacting my office about cap and trade legislation. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue. I certainly appreciate the importance of keeping consumer energy rates as low as possible during these difficult economic times. I worked with my colleagues to include weatherization assistance funding and homeowner tax credits for efficiency and renewable energy projects in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. However, I feel strongly that Congress must act swiftly to curb the greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change. In New Hampshire climate change is already altering the beautiful... email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2284993/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 18:55:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2284441/posts Liberals have noted with a fair degree of distress since January that the election results have yielded very few liberal policy implementations—the continuing wars abroad and on drugs, high defense spending, tax cuts, finance, environmental and national security stances, none of these are remotely liberal. Why not? An answer from the most excellent Mahablog is not an inability of the Executive to perform, but the inherent intended structure of Congress allowing a minority to obstruct. A better answer from the excellent O’Brien is not the current Republican ability to obstruct real progress, but that Congress itself is busted. For Californians... The Left Coaster http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2284441/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:14:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2284136/posts It's not easy living in the DC area. The place is a 60 square mile enclave bordered by reality, where the phrase "I voted for George Bush" gets you looked at like you have two heads, while being a gay vegan is considered perfectly normal. No, really! You can imagine how irritating it gets when out trying to enjoy a beer and one of Al Gore's cult followers begins proselytizing to the cause of Global Warming. But I've discovered that like the followers of any other religion, debating someone's belief system is pointless. Pointing out how Climate Change is based... Flopping Aces http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2284136/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:34:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283940/posts The idea of wind generated electric energy is being sold by environmentalists as an overlooked opportunity to reduce greenhouse gasses. Global warming advocates claim that this discounted treasure could be a major part of an effort to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and eliminate the need for some of our nuclear power plants. Is it true that we are passing up on a gold mine of renewable energy in favor of unnecessary and harmful fossil and nuclear fuels? Let's start by looking at what we use to generate the power we use today. Renewables, such as wind, solar, biomass,... The American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283940/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:43:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283893/posts GRANTS PASS, Ore. - A federal judge has struck down the Bush administration's change to a rule designed to protect the northern spotted owl from logging in national forests. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken ruled from Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday that the U.S. Forest Service failed to take a hard look at the environmental impacts of changing the rule to make it easier to cut down forest habitat of species such as the spotted owl and salmon on 193 million acres of national forests. "I am hopeful that this is the last nail in the coffin to (President George W.)... msnbc.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283893/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 06:35:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283710/posts Regulation: Ignoring the first rule of holes, a bankrupt state passing out IOUs welcomes an EPA waiver allowing it to further kill its economy. Too bad the state can't stop the air pollution imported from a growing China. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday granted California its long-standing request — denied by the Bush administration — for a waiver to allow it to impose even more stringent air pollution rules than currently required by the federal government.The way is now clear for implementation of a 2002 state law requiring new cars to increase their fuel economy 40% by 2016.... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283710/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:16:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283450/posts Thanks to page 133 of H.R. 2454, I now understand where our esteemed President came up with the notion the U.S.A has 56 states: 2) in section 791(9), by striking ‘‘The term ‘State’ includes the District of Columbia.’’ and inserting ‘‘The term ‘State’ includes the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.’’ (3) in section 793(c)— (A) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘51 States’’ and inserting ‘‘56 States’’; I encourage all visiting to download the bill and discover other gems of legislative detail in this insane piece of... Library of Congress - GPO http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283450/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:30:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283184/posts 111TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 2454 AN ACT To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Library of Congress-GPO http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283184/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:01:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282756/posts Giving Mother Earth a Facelift by: Mytheos Holt, June 29, 2009 The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) recently hosted a discussion entitled “Governing Geoengineering.” Lee Lane, a resident fellow and director of the AEI Geoengineering Project, moderated the discussion, which focused on a working paper written by Dr. Scott Barrett, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. The concept of Geoengineering developed in Barrett’s paper turns the premise of human-caused climate change alarmism on its head, arguing that if humans can cause climate change by emitting carbon, then they can counteract this same phenomenon through a... Campus Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282756/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:52:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282478/posts And how will this bill affect you? It has regulations on every single aspect of your daily life. There are light bulb restrictions (no more than 60 watts in your candelabra); in fact there's a whole section that deals with lamps. If you decide to build a new home, it must meet new and specific energy requirements. If you decide to sell your existing home, a federal inspector must inspect your home, determine it's energy rating, and if your home is found to be unacceptable then you must retrofit and make changes before you will be able to sell. it. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282478/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:44:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282422/posts On June 18, by a vote of 12-7, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Clean Water Restoration Act (S. 787). As with most government bills, you can bet that it has less to do with restoring clean water than it does with increasing the power of the federal government. The bill, if passed by Congress, would “provide protection to the waters of the United States to the maximum extent of the legislative authority of Congress under the Constitution.” Again, Congress’ view of what is Constitutional is very different than the view of most American citizens. In sum,... The Constitutional Alamo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282422/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:32:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282284/posts I’m confused. I can’t figure out the high-and-mighty Democrats who rule our country. Either I’m dumb as a rock or they’re a bunch of hypocritical tyrants. Specifically, on the issue of federal land and energy development, what I can’t figure out is when is the environment sacred and when is it not? When is federal land of such untouchable environmental value that all energy exploration is banned – no matter what – and when can those protections be swept away as if they don’t exist? The only answer I can come up with: Whenever the Democrats want. I’m talking about... Bob Lonsberry dot com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282284/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:21:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282030/posts Climate Change: A switch of four Republican votes would have defeated Waxman-Markey, the Democrats' global warming legislation. But like the Clinton Btu tax, the bill could die in the Senate and turn the House over to the GOP. What were these RINOs thinking? The GOP is supposed to be the party of low taxes and free markets. Rep. Mike Castle, one of the eight offered an explanation right off of President Obama's teleprompter...Illinois Republican Mark Kirk, who has senatorial ambitions to replace the choice of impeached former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Sen. Roland Burris, demonstrates why GOP fortunes in the Land... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282030/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:36:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281977/posts There is so much misinformation on the subject of global warming and so little consensus -- as to what environmental changes are occurring, whether human behavior is contributing to them, whether they are causing significant environmental damage, and whether the proposed cap and trade legislation would do anything to alleviate any of this -- it is no wonder our freedom-hating majority in the House insisted on cramming it through before they could even read, much less digest, what it contained. It would be bad enough if they passed innocuous legislation to address an alleged problem (man-caused global warming) without first... davidlimbaugh.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281977/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:35:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281694/posts “I love America. That’s why it has to be destroyed.“ The quotation cited above comes from a liberal character in the 2008 satirical comedy “An American Carol.” David Zucker’s film skewered the American political left for its arrogance and its hypocrisy. Sadly, one can easily see President Obama or some member of his administration expressing a similar oxymoronic sentiment to explain its peculiar and destructive policies. Obama seems intent upon destroying the American love affair with the automobile by crippling the auto industry and laying waste to the larger economy. If no one can afford to drive a car, it... The Chicago Daily Observer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281694/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:31:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281579/posts Regardless of the scientific merit behind doomsday predictions of global warming, President Obama and Congress seem intent on instituting a U.S. policy regime to address the specter of climate change.The debate on the most effective way to "green" America--cap-and-trade, carbon taxes, tough energy standards and regulations, some hybrid approach, or sticking to open markets--will be a heated one. With affordable green technologies still in development, policymakers need to recognize that the economic cost of limiting U.S. production of greenhouse gases on U.S. consumers and companies will be high--high enough to question whether the costs are worth the equally uncertain... The Heritage Foundation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281579/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:23:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281271/posts Hello FreeRepublic. My name is Nathan I'm a GIS Mapping Technician in Ohio. I want to put my skills to good use in trying to restore America to its common sense roots. I created this map to show the votes of representatives on HR2454, otherwise known as Cap and Trade. If you are so inclined you can contact the representatives that voted for it and ask them to redact their votes. If you want to download the better PDF that better shows counties and congressional districts, go to my SkyDrive and download. Feel free to pass it on to anyone... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281271/posts#comment Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:12:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2280989/posts Well, the ugly cap and tax bill narrowly passed the House yesterday. And perhaps most aggravating of all is the fact that if two more Republicans showed up to vote NO (one of those being fiscal conservative darling Jeff Flake of Arizona) and just three of the eight GOP members who vote AYE changed their minds, then it would have been DOA. As irksome as this fact rightfully is to many conservatives, including many readers in this space, I unfortunately will offer a healthy dose of parade-raining by giving a look into just who of those eight members could really... Red County http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2280989/posts#comment Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:52:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2280762/posts Remember how the Congressional Budget Office is supposed to be the gold standard. Well, the same folks that were touting the CBO as the gold standard when the CBO was analyzing health care reform are looking skeptically at their analysis of cap and trade (known as H.R. 2988 American Clean Air and Security Act, ACES). That's because the CBO found that ACES would have a negligible effect on both people's energy costs as well as government's revenues. There would be a net government revenue increase of about $20 billion over ten years and it would cost the average family about... The Provocateur http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2280762/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:10:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280748/posts GOP candidate promotes working with Europe on climate change, but only wants to 'encourage' involvement of 'rest of the world.' BY DAN GAINOR Presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain is using the idea of global togetherness to promote “a cap-and-trade system” to battle climate change. He said “Americans and Europeans need to get serious about substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years or we will hand over a much-diminished world to our grandchildren.” According to the Arizona senator, whose opinion column appeared in the March 19 Financial Times, the United States needs to work with Europe to create... Business & Media Institute http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280748/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:57:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280694/posts (06-27) 04:00 PDT Washington - -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke time and again of preserving "God's beautiful creation" as she mustered all the skills she learned, at her father's knee in Baltimore and in San Francisco's liberal salons, to muscle sweeping climate change legislation to narrow passage Friday. Pushing for the vote while uncertain she would win it was the highest-stakes decision of the San Francisco Democrat's career. President Obama, joined by former Vice President and greenhouse guru Al Gore, worked the phones to woo the backing of reluctant Democrats from coal states, farm states, manufacturing states and poor... San Francisco Chronicle / sfgate.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280694/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:19:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280508/posts Despite strong opposition from agricultural groups and private property rights advocates, a bill that would expand the federal reach of the Clean Water Act, and that could have sweeping effects on everyday farming activities, passed out of a key U.S. Senate committee last week. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted 12-7 to advance S. 787, also known as the Clean Water Restoration Act, which now faces consideration by the full Senate. If adopted, the legislation would give the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers authority over nearly every wet area in the nation, including farm... Ag Alert http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280508/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:09:35 GMT