William Yeatman

Mayor Takes Expanded Windmill Proposal to the People

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday unveiled a plan to make the city a showcase of “clean energy” by placing windmills and solar panels on skyscrapers, bridges and coastlines throughout the five boroughs.  But after analysts realized that this massive project would still fall woefully short of meeting the city’s energy needs, the mayor expanded his proposal to cover city residents as well.  “To reach our goal of sustainable energy, we need everyone’s input, literally.  If you can ambulate, you can generate.” 

The Mayor denied rumors that police might ticket residents who persisted in walking the streets bareheaded.  “For the time being, I think we can count on the public spiritedness of our residents.”

Quick thinking, Mayor Bloomberg!

Most every politician and pundit says "energy independence" is a great idea. Presidents have promised it for 35 years. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were self-sufficient, protected from high prices, supply disruptions and political machinations?

A California court rejected a proposal to build a controversial luxury resort and golf course in Desert Hot Springs because the project's environmental study failed to analyze the project's greenhouse gas emissions. The lawsuit, which was brought by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club, challenged the development based on AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act. AB 32 did not address emissions analysis as part of the California Environmental Quality Act, but the California Legislature passed SB 97 last year, requiring the Office of Planning and Research to develop regulations on how emissions should be addressed in CEQ documents no later than July 1, 2009. The court’s decision is the first legal interpretation of how to incorporate emissions analysis into CEQ documents until the OPR releases its regulations.

One major problem with politics — as we've all probably figured out by now — is that politicians view every human challenge as political in nature, meaning, particularly these last few years. Objective No. 1 in the political trade is sticking to it The Other Party.

As the tide of public opinion seems to shift in favor of House Republicans' demand for a vote on domestic energy exploration, one supporting argument has yet to be discussed: drilling as a way to lower your taxes.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's proposal Saturday to make expanded offshore drilling part of a new Democratic energy bill got a skeptical reaction from Republicans, who said they suspect it will contain other provisions unacceptable to the minority. The result may be that Congress remains deadlocked on the potent election issue.

Russia's invasion of Georgian territory last week, in addition to reasserting Moscow's military strength, has complicated Europe's effort to diversify its oil and gas supplies away from the growing dominance of Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom.