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This is the first time that the OMB is choosing to release the budget electronically instead of in its usual paper format. According to the OMB, the decision will save about 20 tons of paper since it prints about 3,000 copies for distribution to White House staff, U.S. Senators and congressmen and their staffs, as well as the media. People who wish to have a hard copy, a four-volume set totaling over 2,200 pages–can still order them from the Government Printing Office, but the move is expected to save the U.S. around $1 million over the next five years. Not a huge savings mind you, but definitely a step in the right direction. Hopefully, other state and local governments who haven’t already taken this measure will be influenced to do so, and soon.
With all of the “green” efforts going on throughout the country while gaining greater attention through both the mainstream and alternative media, 2008 could potentially be the year where environmental policy will (finally) become a major campaign issue. It goes beyond hybrid vehicles and global warming–it also involves alternative fuel sources and whether our economy can survive into the future with more money being spent on imported fuel. As this and other editorials suggest, voters must begin putting pressure on their elected leaders to adopt environmental policies that have already been put into place throughout most of the world. This not only translates to the presidential race, but also for the congressional races as well as state and local elections. The environment is a national issue, but it affects all of us on an every day basis.
Over 100 wind farm developers and local government officials gathered recently in Peoria to discuss issues including site development and taxation, and there was consensus that the state (and its forecasted wind currents) had the potential to be a desirable location for wind farms which, in turn, could evolve into an affordable energy alternative in the near future. It goes without saying that wind farms are not mutually exclusive to the coastal areas of the United States, and we could see many more stories like this shortly, with states and local municipalities investigating wind farms and what types of economic and energy benefits they could have.
The award ceremony was held in Oslo, Norway and Gore spoke forcefully on how the United States and China are not meeting their respective obligations to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Following are excerpts from his speech, courtesy of AlGore.com:
For those who have been critical of Mr. Gore’s efforts, I ask you to inform us of what your efforts have been to bring forth positive change to the environmental concerns that lurk at our society’s door. When you can come up with a coherent answer, let us know. Until then, we should all applaud Mr. Gore for having the courage of his convictions and doing what he can to save our environment from ourselves.
Supporters believe the measure will increase research and investment in alternative and cleaner fuel technologies, but detractors say this will lead companies to send jobs overseas where emissions standards in many countries are not nearly as stringent as this proposed bill would be. The measure was passed in a Senate committee this week by a vote of 11-8–10 Democrats and one Republican (John Warner of Virginia) voted for it, while James Inhofe (R-Okla) and George Voinovich (R-Ohio) were two of the more notable opponents. However, the bill has received support from California’s Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who believes that measures such as this will prompt greater business investment in his state, which has passed a number of emission control mandates. With more attention being paid to “be green,” especially from networks like NBC who sponsored an entire “Green Week” earlier this fall, the environment could actually be a major presidential campaign issue in 2008. Time will tell…
Although a situation that may take place 27 years down the road may not mean much to us, at least for the near future, another thought that was brought up by the same group of scientists was that the presidential palace in the Indonesian captial of Jakarta could be surrounded by water. What makes it so frightening is that the palace is situated six miles(!) from the sea. The Bali confab is designed to discuss ways on developing a follow-up to the Kyoto Protocol, which was designed to reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The protocol expires in 2012, and many believe that if factors such as greenhouse gases and carbon emissions continue to escalate, islands like those in Indonesia as well as in other regions could literally be swallowed by the rising sea levels. It goes without saying that at the very least the takeaway from this conference is to begin establishing parameters for real guidelines to prevent these dire situations from happening. In addition, governments need to pay attention now, and not in 2030 when it could be too late.
The Shepherd’s Flat wind farm will be built along the Columbia River along Oregon’s Gilliam and Morrow counties and would include over 303 wind turbines, with some over 500 feet in height. The developer who will build the farm, Caithness Energy, which is based in New York, has said that the project site will be housed on privately held land and plans are underway to construct a large infrastructure to support the turbines, including access roads, substations, and nearly 20 miles of high-voltage transmission lines. Of course, a project like this will have its detractors, mostly the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard)-types who believe these wind farms with their large turbines will constitute an eyesore for the area, and there are some who believe this alternative energy source will not provide power on a consistent basis because you cannot rely on the wind blowing all the time. However, states such as Oregon, Washington, and California are mandating that utilities develop more sources of renewable energy within the next 20 years, and wind power is one of them. There are sure to be others coming down the pike, and the goal is to rely less on oil, especially from foreign providers.
He cites an example of how Australia’s John Howard was the first national leader in the world to be voted out of office because of his inaction regarding the growning concerns of the Australian people about global warming. In fact, thew new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, made it a point during the campaign that global warming will be a major priority in his administration. Granted, Australia is not the United States, but they are not an impoverished third-world nation, either. In addition, many more citizens in countries around the world are making their voices heard to politicians and government leaders that an enforceable environmental policy should be an essential part of any legislative agenda. However, it seems that the U.S. presidential candidates are mostly getting by with general statements about needing to “get something done” about the environment and mostly paying lip service to seeking out alternative fuel sources along with investigating the effects of global warming and climate change. During the last Republican debate hosted by CNN, with questions taken from YouTube submissions, not one question was asked or selected about the environment, but viewers were subjected to being beaten over the head about immigration and whether or not the candidates believed what was written in the Bible. And let’s not just point the finger at Republicans–the Democrats aren’t exactly addressing the issues, either. John Edwards is the only one that has been somewhat vocal on his environmental platform, with John McCain being the standard-bearer for the Republican side. Of course, we can’t always look to the Commander in Chief to get down to the nitty gritty regarding climate change and environmental policy. It really does have to come from a grassroots effort, not only by individual citizens and organizations, but state legislators are going to have to assume more of the responsibilities of affecting change. Sure, there are a number of companies who are looking to get more involved, but let’s remember that they are also are seeking positive press, as well as increasing their revenue stream, so we shouldn’t fall all over ourselves in gratitude, either. Next year’s elections will be the biggest opportunity yet for voters to express their demand for a more enforceable environmental policy from their leaders. With more hybrid vehicles being seen on the road, and with the media paying more attention to climate change, the time is now to bring in leaders who will follow the lead of the people. Time will tell if we (and they) will step up to the plate. |
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