Reality slaps the EPA in the face on ethanol
What is going on at the EPA? It can’t really be a growing awareness of reality and the need for common sense when considering environmental regulations and counting their effects since it is forcing cities around the country to spend millions of dollar to replace their fire hydrants for fear of lead. There is no health threat from the lead in the caps of fire hydrants but that is not stopping the EPA from promulgating these new regulations.
Still its not all bad news (more of one step backward, a half a step forward) since for the first time the EPA has decided to ease the ethanol blending requirement. In doing so, they are finally bowing to the dictum, ought implies can. The reality is there is not enough ethanol being produced to meet the requirements of the law. The EPA is asking refiners in 2014 to blend 15.2 billion gallons of renewable fuel—most of it ethanol—into U.S. gasoline supplies. which is approximately 16% less than what the 2007 energy law specified. The law gave EPA the ability to lower the requirement, and the EPA is finally exercising its discretion. Now if we can just get rid of the subsidies and mandates altogether. Oh, well, at least its a start.
“There is no health threat from the lead in the caps of fire hydrants but that is not stopping the EPA from promulgating these new regulations.”
They probably know that. Maybe we should be asking: Are they trying to decrease the use of lead for some other reason?
Seriously, what is the thinking behind this?
It is probably an arm of Obamas next stimulus plan. Just paying for all kinds of new stuff is good for the economy, right? (I’m looking at you Krugman).
Haha, I can’t believe that you found a way to inject Krugman’s Alien Invasion theory into this. Classic.
They probably own large stocks in companies that will be the ones replacing the lead hydrants.
“Now if we can just get rid of the subsidies and mandates altogether.”
I guess we should’ve elected Rick Perry.
That may have been a “one step backward, a half a step forward” kind of thing.
Things should hopefully never be that bad.
Good to see that we are reducing our adherence to this ridiculous fantasy. Hopefully more to come.
If we keep stepping in the right direction, eventually we’ll get there.
It will just take a long time.