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States Sue EPA Over Oil Refineries Emissions

Twelve states, New York City and the District of Columbia are suing the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming the Bush administration has failed to rein in emissions from oil refineries.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Monday the suit is aimed at forcing the EPA to adopt new regulations to reduce oil industry pollution that contributes to global warming.

Nothing is as it seems. The Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t actually protect the environment. They, like the Forest Service, serve as a mediator between the needs of the natural world and those who would exploit it. They are the ones that facilitate compromises. Any compromise comes at the expense of the planet. Here is an illustration….

“Hey Forest Service, I’m a huge douche bag and I want to deforest 50 acres of land for my beautiful luxury condos.”
“50 acres deforested? I can’t let you do that. You need to at least leave the large old trees.”
“Of course! Big trees are good for property values. What about those ancient trees that are just plum in the way?”
“Well, I don’t want to deter you from your work. In the past, trees that happen to get in the way are killed accidently or by unknown causes. We certainly wouldn’t hold you responsible if some happen to die on your watch.”
“That’s good to know. These trees are really old, they could conceivably die any day now.”
“Right, and you don’t want those falling on new condos. What an insurance nightmare. Hey let me recommend a few companies that would take these trees off your hands at a handsome price.”

For the EPA, just substitute “trees” for emissions standards. Whatever compromise is dished out, the environment gets the short straw every time. At least a few states are being responsible.

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One Comment on “States Sue EPA Over Oil Refineries Emissions”

  1. Print and Destroy Says:

    the federal govt cares about revenue not responsibility, perhaps because it is the will of many people whom convinced themselves they were god while growing up.
    The argument is that we could stop, lose our industrial power (competitive edge), and only succeed in allowing another region to increase their supply and swallow it up…fucking globalizing cannibal mothers. Look at it this way, we should start praying the oil runs out, maybe then emmisions would begin to work towards equilibrium. Shucks we have coal. never mind. good night

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