XPost: alt.fan.sean-hannity, talk.politics.misc, alt.politics.democrats   
   From: racist.bigot@barackobama.com   
      
   When someone criticizes the Environmental Protection Agency, the   
   normal response nowadays is a retort along the lines of, “What   
   did Mother Nature ever do to you?” or “So, you hate puppies and   
   all things good, then?” Yes, I may be exaggerating, but don’t   
   miss my overall point: Americans should feel free, and indeed   
   obligated, to analyze and criticize the actions of federal   
   government agencies. Since our tax dollars fund these massive   
   institutions, it should be expected that we monitor their   
   policies and initiatives, and EPA is no exception.   
      
   For the past several years, EPA has targeted domestic energy   
   industries, particularly those producing fossil fuels, under the   
   guise that doing so will significantly thwart climate change and   
   produce a stronger economy. The coal industry in particular has   
   been pinpointed by such EPA policies, which have been cited as a   
   factor in the closure of 62,000 megawatts of electric generating   
   capacity (393 coal units) in 36 states as of June 18. Entire   
   communities have been devastated by these closures, forcing   
   state officials to cope with weakened regional economies and   
   increased unemployment. Hard-working Americans have seen their   
   way of life destroyed for the sake of EPA’s politically   
   fashionable and hastily implemented agenda.   
      
   Unfortunately, these irresponsible practices continue to persist   
   in the form of additional, burdensome regulations. What does   
   this trend actually mean for the environment? Will more layoffs,   
   plant shutdowns and intentional economic dilapidation add up to   
   a greener planet? EPA’s proposed carbon regulations, the   
   centerpiece of its climate change program, would reduce sea   
   level rise by a mere 1/100th of an inch – the equivalent of   
   three sheets of paper! From an economic standpoint, the effects   
   are even less inspiring; economic analysis reveals the costs to   
   comply with the plan could total $366 billion, or more, in   
   today’s dollars. Consumers will ultimately foot the bill for   
   these rising costs, which include double-digit electricity price   
   increases in 43 states. Consider the amount of irreversible   
   economic damage these regulations will cause compared to their   
   practically nonexistent environmental achievement and ask   
   yourself, “isn’t there a better way?”   
      
   America’s coal industry has undergone vast and impressive   
   improvements to use coal more cleanly and efficiently than ever   
   before. Emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and   
   particulate matter from coal-fueled power plants have been   
   reduced by approximately 90 percent over the period of 1970-   
   2014. Meanwhile, the industry continues to provide jobs to over   
   700,000 hard-working Americans and pump revenue and ingenuity   
   into our national economy. As America’s most expansive   
   electricity source, coal provides reliable and affordable energy   
   to families and businesses across the country. States benefit as   
   well; those that generate the majority of their electricity from   
   coal pay on average 11 percent less than the national average.   
      
   If EPA wants to make a true, lasting difference in the well-   
   being of our national and global environment, stifling   
   entrepreneurship and hindering families is not the right   
   approach. Instead, incentivize existing industries to develop   
   and utilize cleaner technologies. Encourage responsible growth   
   so businesses can more easily contribute to scientific research   
   and innovation. The American people, and their more manageable   
   power bills, will thank you.   
      
   http://behindtheplug.americaspower.org/2015/07/truth-behind-epas-   
   energy-policy.html   
       
       
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)