Industrial plants are again the focus of the Environmental Protection Agency. (As they should be) Last week, the EPA announced that any plant that produces 25,000 tons of "greenhouse gas" per year will be required to make the upgrades to the most efficient technology available each time they either build new or significantly modify their plant.The list of sites include power plants, factories and refineries across the country.It is estimated that such industries are responsible for almost 70% of the greenhouse gas emissions that are released in the U.S.
When I saw the twitter post on this, I looked up the EPA online and found a quote from the EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. She said: "By using the power and authority of the Clean Air Act, we can begin reducing emissions from the nation's largest greenhouse gas-emitting facilities without placing an undue burden on the businesses that make up the vast majority of our economy,"
When she said the businesses that make up the vast majority, she meant the local coffee shops and hair salons at the street level. When the remaining 30% of the greenhouse gas is a result of domestic livestock droppings, our efforts to diminish our carbon footprint locally (however noble an effort) might look small when compared to the unregulated contributors that have caused the most carbon and methane offences for decades.
Considering how much flack the Obama Administration got this spring for pushing the car industry to lower their emissions standards for cars and trucks, I'm sure the EPA will be blasted for trying to cut industrial pollution as well.
I point this out to the local community because I know there are so many grass roots efforts to diminish our footprint both municipal and private, that struggle because of the cost associated with the effort.
I dont advocate stopping the effort, but want to point out who the major "greenhouse gas" producers are and know that this type of regulation has been in need of an upgrade for a long time.
2 comments:
Why is it that countries such as China and India do not comply with these restrictions and get away with it, yet American companies are forced to increase costs to adhere to such strict guidelines. In the end these companies will decide to leave since they can no longer afford to do buisness in America. Then we are left with decreasing jobs, more reliance on the government and higher taxes. You do the math. Instead offer tax incentinves to reduce the carbon footprint instead of increased costs to comply.
Unless I'm mistaken, most of these large industrial firms get government susidies to do just that. There are programs available through the fed to help with the upgrades, but the companies ae asked to comply with the current standards before they qualify.
Now that there is a push for better enforcement of current and bolstered provisions, you'll see plenty of Our money heading their way. Just as you asked.
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