Leading the Way — Off the Cliff
California regulators Thursday voted to cap the greenhouse gas emissions of the state’s major industries and establish the nation’s first broad-based carbon trading program.
The move marks another bellwether moment for a state that has led in environmental policy, coming as national climate legislation to regulate greenhouse gases and curb climate change has stalled in Congress.
“This is an historic venture,” said Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, as the panel voted 9 to 1 to approve some 3,000 pages of regulations and supporting documents, crafted over three years of intense negotiations with businesses and public interest groups.
The move is also being cheered by businesses in places as far away as Arizona and Nevada.
RELATED: Senator Jay Rockefeller is seeking to block the EPA’s power grab (pun entirely intentional), but he can’t do a damn thing to put a stop to California’s foolishness.
Californians plan to lead the nation toward low emissions of CO2 by showing us how to live without electricity. Old power plants don’t last forever, and well-funded enviros have filed lawsuits to prevent solar power plants in the desert, drilling into their vast petroleum reserves, building power lines across beautiful countryside, windmill farms that kill little birdies, and nuclear power plants.
By punishing their refineries, they will embark on teaching us bicycling and horseback riding, as refiners have already said they are considering moving out of the U.S. because of the CO2 war.
“The move is also being cheered by businesses in places as far away as Arizona and Nevada.”
Probably in China, too. Can’t forget China. Or India, Malaysia, Lower Revoltistan.
Don’t forget Texas. We thank the California regulators for their Christmas gift. Texas politics is dominated by pro-business Republicans. Democrats can barely breathe in the state capitol.
California is royally screwed because most of its voters depend on state goodies of one sort or another. I can’t imagine Republicans winning a statewide election anytime in the near future. The 2010 elections were probably the last chance to turn things around.
“The move is also being cheered by businesses in places as far away as Arizona and Nevada.”
Hey don’t forget Canada. Our film industry should benefit from this. If this move depopulates California, the beaches will be cleared for Canadians. I hope the remaining eco-Californians living in the bushes don’t steal our stuff.
Things like this are part of the reason I left California.
I’d ask the last sane person to leave the Golden State turn the lights out, but it looks like the state government is already taking care of that.
Maybe the last sane person to leave can blow out the candles.
Oh, no… candles will be banned next… all that smoke, ya know.
Of course, exemptions will be available for The Elite Hypocrites.
I prefer the thing they used before electricity or kerosene — whale oil.
Greece redux.
Ain’t pretty. *shakes head*
Californians and Brits have their hearts set on reducing their populations to a third-world lifestyle. In the case of Californians, I cannot find a reason for this other than an uncontrollable hatred for all that is American. But it is good that California and Britain are showing everyone what happens when eco-fantasists gain control of government. In one year or less, no American will deny that this act came from a death wish.
My brother lives in the Sacramento area and has almost lost his house this year (we find out Monday if we managed to save it). He doesn’t want to move and he says he’s got a more secure job now (“superintendent” instead of “foreman”), but I’m wondering if he may be left with no choice within the next few years. He’s got equity in the house and if he can keep it for now, at least he wouldn’t have to short-sell if he does end up having to leave.
If so, I plan to encourage him to go to Texas.
My neighbors in my cute beach town are happy Obama-lovers and Jerry Brown supporters who have no idea what’s coming. The clean energy initiative passed in November ALONE is projected to raise gas prices to between $4.16 and $5.76/gallon. When it happens, they’ll blame greedy oil companies and vote Democrat harder than ever before.
I’m stuck here because of elderly relatives. Breaks my heart to think of what’s going to become of the house by the beach that’s been in the family for years.
Great, the Cali’s can flee to places like Texas and Colorado, and bring their voting with them. They’ll become veritable garden states…