Bush Works Hard to Leave a Legacy of Environmental Destruction

[Rohirrim]

White House rushing to enact dozens of new rules
By R. Jeffrey Smith
The Washington Post


WASHINGTON — The White House is working to enact an array of federal regulations, many of which would weaken rules aimed at protecting consumers and the environment, before President Bush leaves office in January.
The rules would be among the most controversial deregulatory steps of the Bush era and could be difficult for his successor to undo. Some would ease or lift constraints on private industry, including power plants, mines and farms.
Those and other regulations would help clear obstacles to some commercial ocean-fishing activities, ease controls on emissions of pollutants that contribute to global warming, relax drinking-water standards and lift a key restriction on mountaintop coal mining.
Once such rules take effect, they typically can be undone only through a laborious regulatory proceeding, including lengthy periods of public comment, drafting and mandated reanalysis.
"They want these rules to continue to have an impact long after they leave office," said Matthew Madia, a regulatory expert at OMB Watch, a group critical of what it calls the Bush administration's penchant for deregulating in areas where industry wants more freedom.
He called the coming deluge "a last-minute assault on the public . . . happening on multiple fronts."
White House spokesman Tony Fratto responded that "this administration has taken extraordinary measures to avoid rushing regulations at the end of the term. And yes, we'd prefer our regulations stand for a very long time — they're well-reasoned and are being considered with the best interests of the nation in mind."
As many as 90 regulations are in the works, and at least nine of them are considered "economically significant" because they impose costs or promote societal benefits that exceed $100 million annually. They include rules governing employees who take family- and medical-related leaves, new standards for preventing or containing oil spills, and a simplified process for settling real-estate transactions.
In some cases, the regulations reflect new interpretations of language in federal laws. In other cases, such as several counterterrorism initiatives, they reflect executive-branch decisions in areas where Congress left the president considerable discretion.
Bush's aides are aware of the political risks of completing their regulatory work too late. On the afternoon of Bush's inauguration, his chief of staff issued a government-wide memo that blocked the completion or implementation of regulations drafted in the waning days of the Clinton administration that had not yet taken legal effect.

Well, one thing we know about Bush; He never gave a damn about the opinions of the American people. Like Cheney said. "So?"

[Bronco Bob]

And now he wants to open up land near the Colorado river for uranium mining.
Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, say goodbye to the Colorado river for
drinking water.

I not sure why the Bush deregulations can't be undone though.
The Democrats have both houses of Congress. Just create a bill
that re-regulates everything Bush deregulated, Obama signs it
and it's done.

[Paladin]

If Bush does all this before Nov 30, the process for undoing the crap is tedious and time-consuming and needs like 5 months of Public Review, etc, etc, etc. Better the Congress passes legislation that allows Internet input .....

[cutthemdown]

It's SOP for Presidents to do some last minute things. Maybe he will offset this by setting aside some more marine sanctuaries or wildlife reserves etc.

I'm all for the environment but deregulation doesn't have to lead to pollution. Likewise I doubt the Colo river will become undrinkable, that's just scare tactics.

One thing we probably don't have to worry about is Bush pardoning a bunch of people like Clinton did, but you never know he may do that also.

[Traveler]

It's SOP for Presidents to do some last minute things. Maybe he will offset this by setting aside some more marine sanctuaries or wildlife reserves etc.

I'm all for the environment but deregulation doesn't have to lead to pollution. Likewise I doubt the Colo river will become undrinkable, that's just scare tactics.

One thing we probably don't have to worry about is Bush pardoning a bunch of people like Clinton did, but you never know he may do that also.

So, instead of pardoning some unsavory individual(s), he'd rather **** up the environment.

Sheesh!

[Rohirrim]

So, instead of pardoning some unsavory individual(s), he'd rather **** up the environment.

Sheesh!

Trust me. The Bush pardons will be legendary.

[cutthemdown]

So, instead of pardoning some unsavory individual(s), he'd rather **** up the environment.

Sheesh!

He also made the largest marine sanctuary.

[cutthemdown]

Trust me. The Bush pardons will be legendary.

have you heard any possibilities?

[Rohirrim]

have you heard any possibilities?

I have faith in Bush. ;D

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

One thing we probably don't have to worry about is Bush pardoning a bunch of people like Clinton did, but you never know he may do that also.

Every president issues pardons at the end of his term - not just Clinton.

[cutthemdown]

Every president issues pardons at the end of his term - not just Clinton.

I know I meant he probably won't do any controversial ones or a large number of them. But for sure you are right every President does this.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I know I meant he probably won't do any controversial ones or a large number of them. But for sure you are right every President does this.

You don't think he's going to pardon Scooter?

How about Tom DeLay and Duke Cunningham?

Ted Stevens?

[cutthemdown]

You don't think he's going to pardon Scooter?

How about Tom DeLay and Duke Cunningham?

Ted Stevens?

Interesting. I don't know what do you think?

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Interesting. I don't know what do you think?

Well, considering that GeeDubya's daddy issued what were arguably the most controversial pardons by any president in U.S. history, and considering that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I'd expect him to at least pardon Scooter.

What does he have to lose? His legacy will be forever tainted no matter what.

[cutthemdown]

Well, considering that GeeDubya's daddy issued what were arguably the most controversial pardons by any president in U.S. history, and considering that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I'd expect him to at least pardon Scooter.

What does he have to lose? His legacy will be forever tainted no matter what.

very interesting I will be watching.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

very interesting I will be watching.

Then again, he could surprise everyone - after all, he didn't hesitate to throw his best friend Ken Lay of Enron under the bus.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Congress could halt Bush midnight regulations 11/13 (http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=1124)

[Bronco Bob]

Then again when President Obama takes office January 20th he could simply
use a series executive orders to undo them all.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Turning-Hope-into-Reality-by-Kevin-Gosztola-081113-568.html

[Drek]

I'm all for the environment but deregulation doesn't have to lead to pollution. Likewise I doubt the Colo river will become undrinkable, that's just scare tactics.


He supports removing most regulations on mining close to a running water source and how mine tailings need to be disposed of (i.e. not dumped into) water sources in the general area so yeah, unless you like a lot of trace metals and mercury in your water the Colorado River could get a lot less pleasant.

[cutthemdown]

He supports removing most regulations on mining close to a running water source and how mine tailings need to be disposed of (i.e. not dumped into) water sources in the general area so yeah, unless you like a lot of trace metals and mercury in your water the Colorado River could get a lot less pleasant.

Yeah It would be bad to ruin our water but don't we have tons of laws on water quality?

[ScottXray]

Yeah It would be bad to ruin our water but don't we have tons of laws on water quality?

Yes, and that is the problem. He is making New rules that say that if you are doing this or that (mining etc) then the water quality laws don't apply and you can do whatever. Dump tailings into streams....etc.

sheesh. He must think he is Bill Maher!

[Rigs11]

Yeah It would be bad to ruin our water but don't we have tons of laws on water quality?

We sure do. Just look at the study that came out earlier this year. Our water is so contaminated with antibiotics it's sickening.Scare tactics huh?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4416882

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

We sure do. Just look at the study that came out earlier this year. Our water is so contaminated with antibiotics it's sickening.Scare tactics huh?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4416882

That's cutthemdown for you: always err on the side of Bush. :oyvey:

[cutthemdown]

We sure do. Just look at the study that came out earlier this year. Our water is so contaminated with antibiotics it's sickening.Scare tactics huh?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4416882

The amounts were so low I wouldn't worry about it. It's a concern but no reason to panic or think the water supply is unsafe. In fact I just enjoyed a nice tall glass of refreshing Long Beach tap water. MMMMMMMMM tasty IMO.

[barryr]

Yeah, I'm sure Bush is out to destroy the planet, one that he just happens to reside in. Some people are really idiots to believe such crap. The usual scare tactics and some obviously don't need much to soil in their panties.

[Rohirrim]

Here's the funny part. Once again, Bush ****s it up. Ha!

Last night it was reported that if Bush wanted to pass a bunch of regulations (or kill a bunch) and not have them subject to a revisit by Congress, he had to do it by May 15th. That's the deadline. Bush's lawyers told him Nov. 1st. I guess they're the same lawyers who told him he could overturn the Constitution and ignore the Geneva Convention. God, what an idiot.

[Rohirrim]

Yeah, I'm sure Bush is out to destroy the planet, one that he just happens to reside in. Some people are really idiots to believe such crap. The usual scare tactics and some obviously don't need much to soil in their panties.

Speaking of idiots, Bush had the energy companies write his energy plan, chemical companies write his clean water plan, industry write his clean air plan, and lumber companies write his forest plan.

[TailgateNut]

Here's the funny part. Once again, Bush ****s it up, what an idiot.

That sums it up!

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

That sums it up!

Yep.

And dumb yokels like spdirty and barryr are just idiots propping up one of their own.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

<center> http://www.bartcop.com/utah-bush-monument.jpg
</center>

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

http://www.bartcop.com/quick-way-powers.jpg

[cutthemdown]

One reason it's good to not have one party in power over 8 yrs. Too much Repub and you end up hurting environment. Too much dems you get a different set of problems. Obama will be good for the country he might be just what we need right now.

Then in 8 yrs when people are sick of taxes and some young repub is talking change we prob out those dems and go back repub.

[watermock]

—A sex hormone was detected in San Francisco's drinking water..

[Bronco Bob]

—A sex hormone was detected in San Francisco's drinking water. .

Testosterone or estrogen?

[gyldenlove]

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">—A sex hormone was detected in San Francisco's drinking water. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
.


Of all places San Fransisco doesn't need more sex, so many other places could have used it though.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Why we should still keep an eye on Bush? "Just weeks before leaving office, the Interior Department's top lawyer has shifted half a dozen key deputies -- including two former political appointees who have been involved in controversial environmental decisions -- into senior civil service posts." 11/19 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/17/AR2008111703537.html)

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Gift to Oil Industry Rushed Into Federal Register Before Bush Leaves Office

Final Oil Shale Regulations Endanger Lands, Communities of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming


WASHINGTON - November 17 - Ignoring the wishes of two governors and numerous members of Congress, the Bush administration announced today final regulations for a commercial oil shale program affecting almost 2 million acres of public lands in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. These regulations lay out the rules governing royalty rates, evaluation of lease bids, mitigation requirements, and other technical and procedural elements of commercial oil shale leasing and production.

In conjunction with this move, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will amend 12 resource management plans (RMPs) in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming to allow oil shale development without the opportunity normally afforded the public to file an administrative appeal, or "protest" of the decision.

"Cooking rocks and scorching the earth is not a solution to our energy crisis," Amy Mall, a senior policy advisor for NRDC, said. "This is just another government giveaway to Big Oil, which doesn't make sense when we have better, cleaner energy sources available now. We need to invest in clean energy solutions-like plug-in cars-that will reduce our dependence on oil, not dirtier fuels that spoil public lands, hasten climate change and suck up limited water resources."

Oil shale is a sedimentary rock containing kerogen which, when heated to extreme temperatures, yields oil. However, the oil shale industry remains years if not decades away from establishing the technical, economic, and environmental viability of the technologies needed to extract and process oil from shale, according to industry representatives. In light of these knowledge gaps, Congress voted last year and the president approved legislation that included a limitation on the BLM's implementation of a commercial oil shale leasing program.

Despite this limitation, the BLM hurtled ahead, issuing draft regulations for commercial oil shale development on July 22^nd. On October 1, the spending limitation enacted by Congress to give the oil shale industry more time to conduct research and development on their privately owned lands and as part of BLM overseen program expired. Even without the limitation, this research will not be completed for many years. Even so, the Bush administration has rushed to finalize these federal regulations. The final regulations have no environmental safeguards and provide for a reduced, or in many cases, non-existent royalty rate for an industry that doesn't yet exist.

"The Bush administration is maintaining an unlawful position by amending these resource management plans without providing the public with an opportunity to have their decisions administratively appealed," said Melissa Thrailkill, a staff attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity. "We are considering all our options. That includes legal action in federal court."

An October 7^th letter from The Wilderness Society to the BLM charged that the agency had "deprived the public of an opportunity to provide meaningful comment on the numerous areas included in the [Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement]." The letter further asked that the BLM withdraw the 12 plan amendments until the agency fully complied with applicable laws that require a period for the public to file an administrative appeal. BLM issued a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the 12 resource management plans earlier this year, garnering nearly 105,000 comments during a 120-day period. Many of the comments identified significant deficiencies yet the BLM made no adjustments to the 12 amendments.<s> </s>

"This is not the first time the Bush administration has rammed a policy through while depriving the public of their rights," said Nada Culver, senior counsel for the Wilderness Society's BLM Action Center. "Unfortunately, it probably won't be the last, either."

Among the problems with the Draft PEIS were inaccurate estimates of water available in the Colorado River Basin to support a commercial oil shale industry and the BLM's utter disregard for the potential global warming impacts of pursuing oil shale without significant additional research. Liquid fuels derived from oil shale, often called the dirtiest fuels on the planet, emit as much as 50 percent more global warming gases than conventional gasoline.

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2008/11/17-15