CEI - Did Obama EPA/DOT officials lie to Congress?

Did Obama Administration EPA and Department of Transportation officials lie to Congress? That is a question CEI Senior Fellow Marlo Lewis raises in recent commentary on Globalwarming.org.

At an October 12 hearing House Regulatory Affairs and Stimulus Oversight Subcommittee, EPA Assistant Air Administrator Gina McCarthy, EPA Air Transportation and Air Quality Director Margo Oge, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) David Strickland denied, under oath, that greenhouse gas emission standards are “related to” fuel economy standards.

But as Lewis explains, "Motor vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards implicitly – and inescapably – regulate fuel economy.” Based on EPA, NHTSA, and California Air Resources Board (CARB) documents, Lewis shows that greenhouse gas emission standards are highly “related to” fuel economy standards. At the hearing, the Obama officials denied plain facts they must know to be true. Why?

Had they spoken truthfully, they would also have to admit that EPA is regulating fuel economy, which is outside the scope of its delegated authority, and that CARB is regulating fuel economy, which is prohibited by the Energy Policy Conservation Act (EPCA).

The implications are huge. EPA’s greenhouse gas/fuel economy standards were the trigger for the agency’s regulation of greenhouse gases from “major” stationary sources. AB 1493 created the threat of market-balkanizing, state-by-state fuel-economy patchwork. EPA granted California a waiver to implement AB 1493 just so Obama negotiators could offer to remove the patchwork threat in return for industry’s promise not to challenge EPA and CARB’s newfound careers as fuel economy regulators.

In short, the Obama officials could not acknowledge plain facts they must know to be true without admitting that EPA’s greenhouse gas regulatory agenda rests on dubious legal foundations.

CEI Daily - College Education, Sunday Sales, and Greenhouse Gasses

College Education

Obama says the best economic policy is one that produces more college graduates.

Senior Counsel Hans Bader asks whether such a policy helps anyone but the colleges themselves.

"Students have little choice but to pay inflated tuition bills to the education industrial-complex, as they vie with each other for scarce entry-level jobs by acquiring ever more degrees that show their ability to jump through hoops and master difficult (but largely useless) skills."

 

Sunday Sales Connecticut's General Law Committee killed a bill that would've allowed liquor stores to remain open on Sundays. Policy Analyst Michelle Minton points out how out of touch with the public the committee is.   "[The committee] killed the measure Tuesday despite the fact that voters support 66 percent to 31 percent allowing liquor stores to open on Sunday (according to a recent Quinnipiac poll)."

Greenhouse Gasses

The EPA claims that regulating greenhouse gasses will boost the economy in the long run.

A new study by CEI Adjunct Scholar Garrett Vaughn argues otherwise.

"The EPA is now trying to dress up the even more expensive alternative of direct regulation with the same inflated net benefit estimates prepared for true [Clean Air Act] pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrous oxides. Congress and the administration understand well that EPA regulations actually impose costs far in excess of benefits, the EPA’s official claims to the contrary notwithstanding."



Durham is 1st Community in New Hampshire to Adopt "PACE" Enabling Legislation, NH RSA 53-F

At the Council meeting on October 4, 2010, Durham Energy Committee Chair Kevin Gardner presented an overview of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program to the Durham Town Council. The enabling legislation, New Hampshire RSA 53-F, details the creation of an "energy efficiency and clean energy" district and the authority of the Town over that district. Among the Town’s new financial authorities—strictly controlled by RSA 53-F—would be the ability to facilitate such programs as PACE. Although not mentioned by name in the legislation, PACE is a strong example of the kind of program that the Energy Committee believes the Town could move forward under the provisions of RSA 53-F.

The enabling legislation states:  "The purposes of this chapter are to authorize municipalities to establish such a procedure and to set forth requirements to ensure that its use will achieve the intended purposes of improving the social and economic well-being of New Hampshire communities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

The provisions of RSA 53-F are consistent with the goals of the Town of Durham as articulated by this year’s Town Council goals to encourage sustainability by taking advantage of the public benefits of reducing the cost of energy use and the risks associated with future escalation in energy prices, encouraging investment in the development and implementation of energy conservation and efficiency, and clean energy improvements.

On November 1st, the Durham Town Council, unanimously approved Resolution #2010-18 adopting the provisions of RSA 53-F and designating the Town of Durham in its entirety as an "energy efficiency and clean energy district."

This action makes Durham the 1st community in NH to adopt the new PACE enabling legislation.

Over the last several months, the Energy Committee has solicited expressions of interest from residents or businesses which may want to take advantage of the PACE program. The Energy Committee will be evaluating these applications as well as developing appropriate evaluation criteria to screen them in the coming weeks.

What is PACE? 

A PACE bond is a bond where the proceeds are lent to commercial and residential property owners to finance energy retrofits (efficiency measures and small renewable energy systems) and who then repay their loans over a period of time (10 - 20 years)  via an annual assessment on their property tax bill. PACE bonds can be issued by municipal financing districts or finance companies and the proceeds can be typically used to retrofit both commercial and residential properties.

Todd

Todd I. Selig, Administrator
Town of Durham
15 Newmarket Road
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Tel (603) 868-5571
Fax (603) 868-5572
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us



NetRight Daily: NY 23 Vote Now in Question

NY 23 Vote Now in Question:  A new vote or a paper recount may be needed in New York's 23^rd Congressional District, ALG President Bill Wilson said today, citing erroneous computerized voting machines.

How Not to Win Elections:  The ten Senate Republicans who broke the filibuster Tuesday against Barack Obama's nomination of radical Judge David Hamilton to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals may find themselves in some hot water back home.

Senate Republicans' Lack of Unity Paves Way for Radical Judges:  On Tuesday, the Senate voted 70-29 to invoke cloture on Judge David Hamilton, clearing the way for a confirmation vote for the controversial Obama nomination to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Senator Jeff Sessions had a hold on the nomination for weeks and demanded the cloture vote, citing the judge's radical judicial record.

Save the Planet:  Don't Eat Meat:  Welcome to Green Living 101. We have a special pop quiz for you today. Let's begin...

The Crony Capitalism Cafe:  Everyone wants a free lunch these days, and it seems that in the Cafe of Crony Capitalism, sometimes known as Washington, the free lunch special is being handed out as openly as the candy given to children who knock at the door on Halloween. But alas, not everyone gets a treat, because there really is no such thing as a free lunch. Someone has got to pay. That's why you, the taxpayer, are always the one who is tricked into picking up the tab.

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DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Congratulates President Obama and House Democrats on Passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act

Washington, DC – Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement after the House voted to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act, landmark legislationbacked by President Obamathat will make historic investments in lower-carbon energy sources, create millions of new green jobs and place the first-ever federal limit on climate change causing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Today the House took an important step towards transforming the way we use and produce energy in this country. The American Clean Energy and Security Act will put America in the position to lead the global clean energy economy, while finally breaking our dependence on Middle East oil and addressing the gathering threat of climate change.

“Not surprisingly, the Republican Party once again stood in near unanimous opposition to this historic plan. Instead ofvoting for our clean energy future and for the creation of millions of jobs that can’t be shipped overseas, the GOP ignored the opportunityto moveourcountryforwardand failed to act in the best interests of the American people.

“I want to congratulate President Obama for his outstanding leadership and Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Waxman and Congressman Markey for their role in taking this historic step.

“President Obama has said that the nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy. Today, we took a critical step on that path, and Democrats will continue to work with the President to pass a comprehensive energy plan that is good for our economy and good for our environment.”