Earlier this year, the Supreme court ruled that CO2 and other greenhouse gases indeed do count as a pollutant under the EPA. This is something I have argued for a long time now. It doesn't matter that it is found in the atmosphere, anymore than it matters that cyanide is found in the biosphere. Too much of anything upsets the ecological balance, and becomes toxic. We can already see the effects this is having on ocean acidification.
Now, a significant decision has been handed out based on that acknowledgment. Kansas Department of Health and Environment has denied a permit for two new coal fired plants, citing the carbon dioxide emissions as the reasoning for the decision.
You'll frequently hear that we should also be targeting the real pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury. But coal plants have already been denied permits based on those emissions. The result is that finally traction is being given to the idea that we have an obligation to clean up our act. We can no longer continue to give lip service or airtime to the lobbies which have long fought these regulations tooth and nail. Certainly it is a pleasant surprise to hear this announcement coming from a state which has been a stronghold of Republican support. Many conservatives it seems are starting to get the picture. Political leaning should have no bearing on common sense.
This doesn't mean coal is out, this only means that dirty coal is out, and I say good riddance to dirty coal!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...10/18/AR2007101802452.html?hpid=moreheadlines
Now, a significant decision has been handed out based on that acknowledgment. Kansas Department of Health and Environment has denied a permit for two new coal fired plants, citing the carbon dioxide emissions as the reasoning for the decision.
You'll frequently hear that we should also be targeting the real pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury. But coal plants have already been denied permits based on those emissions. The result is that finally traction is being given to the idea that we have an obligation to clean up our act. We can no longer continue to give lip service or airtime to the lobbies which have long fought these regulations tooth and nail. Certainly it is a pleasant surprise to hear this announcement coming from a state which has been a stronghold of Republican support. Many conservatives it seems are starting to get the picture. Political leaning should have no bearing on common sense.
This doesn't mean coal is out, this only means that dirty coal is out, and I say good riddance to dirty coal!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...10/18/AR2007101802452.html?hpid=moreheadlines
