NEWS: Big Oil in Charge of Energy Study (USA)
Sometimes I just don't get what goes on in the heads of our heads of government! I stare at my computer screen and say "WHAT!" Forgive me I'm not trying to be enigmatic and cryptic although one would think that is the case with the current administration; because I can not possibly begin to understand why the former CEO of ExxonMobil, Lee Raymond, has been hand picked to lead a very influential study that will help develop policy solutions to America's energy crisis!
I'm going to try and leave my very pointed opinions out of this posting but will say I have a hard time believing Mr. Raymond and friends (the National Petroleum Council) will provide a fair and impartial study on the use and benefit of alternative energy. Shawnee Hoover (Exxpose Exxon campaign director) said it best, "What's next? Jack Abramoff appointed to solve corruption?"
Environmental bloggers and other groups are collaborating to get the word out for people to send letters urging Bush's Secretary of Energy to take this very important assignment away from the biased viewpoint of big oil. Here's one blogger's viewpoint: Oil Change International
For more details on what's going on click here: Exxpose Exxon Details, and to take action click here.
~Arcadia
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CityHippy
posted by Arcadia @ 10:07 PM
3 Comments:
I live in Australia and am ashamed of my government too. The following is an except from last week as our government stated that they continue to hold that there is not enough proof of global worming, those who proclaim it are "doomsayers" and that the future is in clean coal (lol) and that sustainable energy does not have a viable future.
Thank god at least some the papers are informing people. The Sydney Morning Herald and some of the TV stations eg Seven have been talking about climate change and what we can do.
There is no support from the Government here to change, the rebates for solar panels etc are insignificant compared to the cost, and there are no taxes on coal emissions. There are no policies in place really to look at renewables.
And last but not least the Government (coincidently) annouced a new bill putting religious chaplains into schools at taxpayers expense, which has set the country off talking, and diverted attention from climate change.
Enough rant. The following is from Seven News Website. www.yahoo.com.au
Shadow Environment Minister Anthony Albanese told 7News the Howard government's stance was "an extraordinary position which frankly makes us an embarrassment to the world".
"These people are dinosaurs and they want to turn parliament house into Jurassic Park," Mr Albanese said.
The Stern report called for economic incentives for companies to do more about emission reduction, along with a shift to renewable technologies. The report called for urgent change over the next 10 years.
"Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate change and it is irresponsible for the government to be frozen in time as the world warms around it," Mr Albanese said.
"Climate change is such a threat to our economy as well as our environment that we need a whole-of-government approach."
He said a Labor government would increase renewable energy targets, putting solar power into more schools and funding research into environmentally-friendly cars.
"The good thing about the Stern report is that there are significant opportunities for countries that are prepared to move forward, rather than just being stuck in the past."
But Federal Treasurer Peter Costello said the Stern report's findings were meaningless for Australia.
"Australia's contribution to world carbon emissions is less than 1 per cent," Mr Costello said.
If I were going to put a national medical policy together, I would certainly include folks from the medical profession. Wouldn't you? But I would also include folks from the insurance industry, the National Institutes of Health, the Red Cross, American Public Health Association, etc.
First of all, the Whitehouse and Congress are the elected body who have a right to establish our national energy policy. And, we have a right to raise our voices and influence this process. So rather than hanging our collective heads, we need to be involved in both our local and national political processes.
Second, if we're going to develop a policy that meets our national energy needs (we shouldn't forget that the US has a responsibility to provide services and food for the world as well), let's include Exxon in the debate. Let's also include representatives from the nuclear industry, solar and alternative techs, utilities, the automotive industry, energy lobbies, consumer lobbies, and environmentalists.
We are foolish in letting Exxon set energy policy not because Exxon isn't an expert at managing energy interests, but because we are not taking advantage of the diversity of perspectives that yields the most effective solutions.
"but because we are not taking advantage of the diversity of perspectives that yields the most effective solutions."
Meant to add that we environmentalists should be careful not to fall into the same trap by demanding Raymond and Petroleum Council be excluded from the discussion. Frankly, we need all the help we can get, and we're not going to be flying to our environmental meetings on petro-free magic carpets anytime soon.
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