Tag: EPA

*contains CS approved language.

"White bourgeois Liberals who think the only thing wrong with this country is that there aren't enough bicycle paths"

ROFLMAO!!!

Yup. Line up all the Bee-esS artists who can kiss my Scottish arse. Front of the line?  Howza 'bout The Nerd's newest stealth org masquerading as "conservatives" that are "on a mission from God".

The recent launch of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum comes as Gov. Rick Snyder and legislators consider updating Michigan's electricity law in 2014 or 2015.

Group executive director Larry Ward [yes, this Larry Ward] says the organization supports an "all-of-the-above" [Coal? Not so much] energy policy. He says it's time for Republicans to lead on energy policy.

Michigan law sets a 10 percent renewable power standard that must be met by the end of 2015. A recent report to Snyder says 15 percent renewable electricity in 2020 and 30 percent in 2035 are achievable. [need a Prop 3 Reminder?]

Or, howza 'bout this Snyder reminder? The MCEF... what despicable ad nauseam. His Word is to "subdue earth, have command over it, eat its critters, and have a few bonfires or be swallowed by earth" not to go breaking out knee pads and fellate it on Pelosi's Sofa.

H/t Market-Ticker

Former #Michigan Gov. William Milliken joins Gov. @OneToughNerd in condemning #RNC's Dave Agema record-eagle.com/opinion/x12212... #MIGOP #GOP #MIGov

Some reminders of history, lest they be repeated, obviously need reflection:

1969-1982:  William G. Milliken.  Thirteen years in Office.  Environmental extremist.  Chummy chum chum's with perhaps the most corrupt Mayor of Detroit ever.  But, it was smart of 'ol milquetoast Willy, that was his voting base.  Kerry backer... Granholm backer... Obama backer... As Paul Ryan would say about Newt Gingrich, "With friends like him..."  How this twaddling old tool still keeps calling himself a Republican is beyond disgusting.

Helen Milliken a proud eugenicist?  You betchya!  Not supposed to mention such atrocities... Shhhhhhhhh!  And, how can one forget...

Omitted: Made Jim Blanchard Look Appealing to Voters

Now, wayward, petty, and pedantic child, you carry on with that polarizing the MI-GOP into obsolescence.

The role of the US House is supposed to be fund as needed, and not as a great big package.  The President as Cruz explained, called out the dangers of veterans services and parks being put at risk by the GOP led house holding off the big package.  The US House responded appropriately and offered funding only to have it rejected by Harry Reid.

Huh go figure.  Michigan GOP Reps pay attention.  KNOW that you are winning FOR the country.

In fact, I should have eight other press releases similar to this one.  Tim Walberg (CD7)yesterday, voted in favor of legislation that would provide funding for the National Park Service and the Veterans Affairs Department. However,both pieces of legislation failed by not gathering enough Democrats to reach the two-thirds required for final passage.  We have discussed this (quite appropriate)strategy on these pages recently.  Walberg says:

"President Obama and Congressional Democrats are already on record as supporting a piecemeal approach to keeping the government funded. It's disappointing some of my colleagues in the House do not feel as strongly about veteran services and disability claims, national parks and other areas of importance.

I remain committed to finding a compromised way to move this country forward. We deserve better."

Reality, is that Obama and Reid have said they will not negotiate.  The GOP led US House is completely in the correct mode holding out specific funding legislation for what might be perceived as an immediate need, while other negotiations (and hopefully complete dissolution of Obamacare) are being made.

Congress has already set an example of continuing resolutions, and money spending sans a budget, balanced or otherwise. Frankly, the role of congress has become that of enabler and cash valet to the spenders elsewhere in government, and little more.  Competing special interests over the years have created some form of acceptance that ALL issues are important enough to fund fully, and no congress critter majority has been able to (as a whole) suppress the need to please.

Its now a different world.  The stakes are higher, there is a tyranny begging to be funded, and the people are screaming at the top of their lungs that ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

And something happened in the meantime that should give us hope.  Letting a little steam off the pressure cooker that is Washington DC, the president is at the time of this writing, expected to sign a bill guaranteeing pay for military services and members in the event of a 'shut down'.

"The measure would also ensure continued pay for civilian employees of the Defense Department and Pentagon contractors whom Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel determines "are providing support to members of the Armed Forces." "

Think about it as one less thing the president can hold over the Republicans in congress. And the fact is, he really MUST sign it.  Otherwise the tables are turned hard on him.

And it is pure gold that should not be squandered.

While the Republican controlled congress fiddles with bills and resolutions that will never make it to the President's desk, the damage is already being done. The EPA has made it unprofitable for a power company to do business in the UP.  As the Candidate Obama put it so bluntly in 2008:

"If someone wants to build a new coal-fired power plant they can, but it will bankrupt them because they will be charged a huge sum for all the greenhouse gas that's being emitted."

The Presque Isle Power plant in Marquette faces a shutdown as a major buyer seeks electricity off the grid from elsewhere. From Energy Biz:

"Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., which operates two iron ore mines in Michigan, has notified We Energies that it will begin buying electricity from Integrys Energy Services, a retail electricity provider that sells electricity in states that have opened up their power markets to competition, Cliffs spokesman Dale Hemmila said.

Cliffs spent $120 million with We Energies last year, according to a filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission."

While the competitive forces are straight up and legitimate, A shutdown of this plant due to a federal regulatory nightmare will have an unpredictable effect on the stability of electricity in the Upper peninsula.  Costs for residents will likely skyrocket, and service will become sub-par.