Climate Change Plan, Texas Needs Biggest Cut

[Mark Piazzalunga]

Yesterday Obama administration decided to cut 30% of carbon emissions from power plants by 2030 through an ambitious and brilliant plan. Wonderful news for the workers in renewable power plants, less for who works in a carbon plant. But which is the state that has to cut the emissions most of all? At the top there’s Lone Star State. The nation’s top emitter of greenhouse gases, Texas would account for more than a quarter of the total cuts in greenhouse gases that would be required, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. At the top positions we can find Florida, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Rick Perry, republican, governor of Texas, runner for the White House in 2012 (and maybe in 2016), isn’t so happy. The plan “is the most direct assault yet on the energy providers that employ thousands of Americans, and fuel both our homes and our nation’s economic growth,” Perry said in a statement. Apparently he prefer having an air full of CO2. Fortunately other states, like Washington, were more supportive. “We have an obligation to protect our state, our economy and our environment for our children and for future generations,” Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D) said in a statement.

Again, Democrats and Republicans are divided on climate change and it’s hard to understand. Does it mean that all the Republicans will oppose this revolutionary plan just to keep alive a dangerous energy system? Next generations hope not. The plan’s benefits are historical: by reducing both the risks of climate change, and the pollution associated with coal-fired power plants, the administration said that the plan would lead to $90 billion in climate and health benefits. It would cost utilities and other companies up to $8.8 billion.

Fortunately Texas’s got what it needs to cut the emissions. In fact, Texas is the nation’s top wind-power producer. “Luckily, we have more renewable resources than anyone else,” Armendariz, former EPA top official in Texas, said in an interview. “We just need to do what Texans know how to do: roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

[Simon]

His response does not surprise me. Rick Perry is an ignorant corporate shill. Back in 2011, during Texas severe drought, Perry advocated prayers to help stop the drought...

 

Perry "issued a proclaimation for Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. For three days, Perry asked Texas to kneel at the pew, or at the foot of their beds, and silently ask God to bring water to their parched state."

 

Amazing...

[Mark Piazzalunga]

Ahah, really amazing! I really hope that not all the Republicans are so blind not to see the danger behind climate change. He called climate science a "contrived phony mess" and later stated that he thinks there are "a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling in to their projects". How could someone just think this? Because $15 million to promote Keystone XL are well spent instead.

[Simon]

Yeah, it's just unbelievable - and people still vote for them!

 

It will be interesting to see whom will be their presidential candidate in the next election.

[Mark Piazzalunga]

In 2016 we'll see if America thinks Republicans still deserve the presidency. From the straw poll the Republicans made the winner was Rand Paul (Senator for Kentucky) but in a challenge between him and Hillary Clinton he has no chance to win.