George W. Bush's Last Environmental Stand

[TV-VCR 14]

Wednesday, Nov. 05, 2008

George W. Bush's Last Environmental Stand

By Bryan Walsh

When Barack Obama takes the oath of office as President on Jan. 20, he'll have an environmental agenda of his own. But before he can push his initiatives, Obama may need to clean up the legacy of his predecessor, George W. Bush.

With less than three months remaining in office, the Bush Administration has proposed a flurry of last-minute changes that will likely weaken several of the nation's environmental protections — and could remain well into the next presidency. If the changes make it into the Federal Register — the official record of Washington rules and regulations — by Nov. 20, they will take effect before Bush leaves office and can likely only be undone by a new Administration. "It will be a lasting challenge for the policymakers who will take the helm," says Vickie Patton, the deputy general counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

Eleventh-hour executive changes are not unique to this outgoing Administration — President Bill Clinton launched a number himself before leaving office, though many of his were designed to strengthen environmental regulations. Of the new changes, White House spokesman Tony Fratto says, "We're implementing regulations and we're trying to do them in the best way that protects the interest of the nation." But greens, who distrust virtually everything that comes out of this White House — which they consider one of the least environmentally friendly ever — feel differently. "If you thought the first 100 days of the Bush Administration were bad, just wait and see what the last 100 could bring," said Democratic Representative Edward Markey, chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Here's a rundown of some of the most prominent proposed changes:

Power Plant Pollution: Under the current regulations, every time a power plant is upgraded, the Environmental Protection Agency examines whether the modifications increase the plant's annual emission of pollutants, such as particulates and smog-causing nitrogen oxide. If they do, the plant is required to take action to control the pollutants. But the Bush Administration wants to change the rule to focus instead on the hourly emission rate of pollution, instead of the total amount of emitted pollutants. That means that plant modifications that keep the hourly rate of emissions steady while increasing the overall amount of pollutants released would not trigger a review.

With the U.S. set for a wave of power plant construction and extensions to meet a coming increase in electricity demand, the change could potentially allow millions of tons of additional pollutants. "It's fair to say that what the Bush Administration is trying to do could have a substantial impact on not just the environment, but public health and safety," says Celia Wexler, Washington representative for the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Endangered Species Act (ESA): Every time the federal government approves a development project — such as a new road or a mine — it must consult with scientists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to see if the project has the potential to impact an endangered species. This expert scientific review is the heart of the ESA — and the Bush Administration proposes to all but eliminate it. Instead, Bush would allow the federal agency in charge of the project itself to determine its potential impact on endangered species.

The White House calls the changes "narrow," but greens say the effect on one of the most significant environmental laws in U.S. history would be enormous. "I've been working on this act for 15 years, and this is by far the most serious threat that I have ever seen," says John Kostyack, director of wildlife conservation and global warming for the National Wildlife Federation. As required under law, the Administration opened the proposed change to a 10-day period of public comment — and received some 300,000 comments, which greens say indicates just how unpopular the proposal would be.

The Administration is also trying to de-list the gray wolf of the northern Rockies — which conservationists say is still in danger.

Water Quality: The Bush Administration is proposing to weaken one rule that dates back to President Ronald Reagan, no friend of regulation himself. Currently there is a 100-foot buffer zone around streams, designed to protect them from the polluting byproducts of mining operations. The White House would extend that protection to other bodies of water, like lakes and wetlands, but tweak the regulation in way that could allow significantly more water pollution overall, by effectively reclassifying valley fills and other waste from mining as non-pollutants. That's damaging to mountaintop areas, especially in the coal-rich Appalachians. "It really takes the buffer out of the buffer zone," says Joan Mulhern, senior legislative counsel for Earthjustice.

The Bush Administration has also ruled that the more than 15,000 factory farms across the nation can avoid oversight by the Clean Water Act as long as they claim they don't discharge animal waste into streams or rivers. Environmentalists say that self-regulation will lead to worsening nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, which can poison drinking water and worsen dead zones in coastal areas.

With Obama headed for the White House, many of these changes could have a short shelf life. The true environmental legacy of George W. Bush will be in what he didn't do — address climate change. Since Bush took office, EDF's Patton notes, the U.S. has released more than 50 billion tons of greenhouse gases. "This is a sobering legacy for the nation," she says. "It's time for America to move forward." That job will fall to Bush's successor, Barack Obama.

• Find this article at:
• http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1856829,00.html

quote>

Oh, Bush. I see what you're doing! If the planet is uninhabitable in 50 years, there will be no one around to remember you as the worst, most evil, most twisted, most mentally retarded president ever. Great idea!

[Hahayoudied 3]

Ah, Bush's last jab at the U.S., I knew Bush would be a bad president.

[Deionn 137]

What did I say. He's finishing us off.

[IDS2 3,346]

BUSH BLOWS.

What else can I say? What kind of policy is that? Does he not care about the future at all? Apparently not.

He knows he's leaving in 2 months, so he's just taking a last jab of revenge on us. Nothing can be done about it.

[josefmayor 8]

Not to defend the idiot, but Clinton did do something similar to Bush. He did sign the deregulation bill that played a hand in screwing up the economy. Now lets make sure we note that he was FORCED to sign this republican bill or else he would've been impeached.

I think every president has signed something to screw the next president. Idk. Screw Bush. Worst 8 years of my life.

[Deionn 137]

Same here.

[panthersimcity4 162]

LMAO, oh wow, it's as if Bush deliberately wants to be remembered throughout history as a big pile of sh......

[Fresh Prince of Wmbg 44]

Originally posted by: TV-VCR

Endangered Species Act (ESA): Every time the federal government approves a development project — such as a new road or a mine — it must consult with scientists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to see if the project has the potential to impact an endangered species. This expert scientific review is the heart of the ESA — and the Bush Administration proposes to all but eliminate it. Instead, Bush would allow the federal agency in charge of the project itself to determine its potential impact on endangered species.

 

quote>

 

No wonder they won't stop building in Wiilliamsburg............

[Hummer bob 1 4]

Gosh, I wish this was a joke...

...unfortunately the Bush Administration is really this stupid.

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: josefmayor Not to defend the idiot, but Clinton did do something similar to Bush. He did sign the deregulation bill that played a hand in screwing up the economy.quote>

And here I seem to remember a sudden torrent of presidential pardons being what everyone took issue to and made fun of when Clinton was on the way out.

[nazaguy 0]

This seems like exactly the kind of thing Monty Burns from the simpsons would be doing if he was ever elected methinks. At least we only have to wait a little while longer

[threeswept 12]

No surprise here. Bush advocates progress at the expense of flora and fauna and the people of each and every state. Over 40% of rivers and lakes in the US are polluted enough to ban fishing, swimming or even aquatic life. And, the EPA has estimated that within 8 years, sewage levels in rivers will be that of the 1970's. And, I'm sure everyone is aware of the coastal dead zone in the Gulf. And, obviously he panders to the NRA in gutting the ESA. So, when all the animals are dead, I guess people have to start shooting each other for sport???

[Shadow Assassin 336]

I guess people have to start shooting each other for sport??? quote>

... and I have a feeling Cheney would just love that.

[Micah 16]

Originally posted by: Shadow_Assassin

I guess people have to start shooting each other for sport??? quote>

... and I have a feeling Cheney would just love that. quote>

 

Who would have thought Cheney was ahead of his time!

[Patricius Maximus 236]

Bush is just like the lame-duck Federalists in the early 19th century -- they tried to change the face of the country. Fortunately, Jefferson came in and reversed it all.

Bush has always had a contempt for science, scientists, and progress. It's no surprise that he'd do this.

However, there is a bright side. Obama and Biden are inaugurated on January 20, and their team are reviewing every executive order that Bush gave -- it is likely that this set will be reversed.

This also emphasizes the need to eliminate the constitutional loophole allowing executive orders, and prevent the ruination of the United States.

The water quality regulations as is prevent unintended pollutants from getting in. There is no reason to change them.

What that government needs to do is remove the flouride from the water supply -- it fouls the taste of tap water.

Have they not heard that people can get flouride toothpaste and go to the dentist to clean teeth? People may be getting too much of the stuff.

This is Bush's last stand of his presidency. He will probably be as successful as Custer was.

- Patricius Maximus

[hym 358]

What that government needs to do is remove the flouride from the water supply -- it fouls the taste of tap water.

Have they not heard that people can get flouride toothpaste and go to the dentist to clean teeth? People may be getting too much of the stuff.quote>

A lot of districts don't put fluoride in the tap water anymore.

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: Patricius Maximus

What that government needs to do is remove the flouride from the water supply -- it fouls the taste of tap water. quote>

Fouls the taste, does it? I gotta say, I haven't heard that one before.

Have they not heard that people can get flouride toothpaste and go to the dentist to clean teeth? People may be getting too much of the stuff. quote>

The concern is that people in the inner city who are poorer don't necessarily go to the dentist or use much toothpaste for lack of being able to afford it. And many of those immigrants came from place where it was unheard of so they don't view it as necessary, either.

Still, "in the inner city" is an important qualifier here. New York City has been putting fluoride in its drinking water for ages and really shouldn't stop doing it (they also put phosphate in to buffer the pH and prevent pipe corrosion and leeching of lead from lead pipes, but that's another matter). On the other hand, it might not make as much sense for a small suburban town to put fluoride in the water.

Still, I've never heard of any medical concerns being raised over people getting too much of it, so there's not necessarily any harm in doing it.

Of course, fluoride in tap water leads to fluoride in sewage leads to fluoride in waterways... I don't claim to be any expert on what impact that might have but it's not hard to fathom that it could disrupt the local ecology in some way.

This is Bush's last stand of his presidency. He will probably be as successful as Custer was. quote>

The mental image of Bush being killed by a horde of Indians is amusing. Thank you.

[panthersimcity4 162]

Originally posted by: Duke87

This is Bush's last stand of his presidency. He will probably be as successful as Custer was. quote>

The mental image of Bush being killed by a horde of Indians is amusing. Thank you. quote>

 

I second that

[fukuda 351]

Originally posted by: Duke87

Of course, fluoride in tap water leads to fluoride in sewage leads to fluoride in waterways...quote>

Hmm no. fluoride in tap water leads to fluoride in the water treatment plant, where several ions are separated from the water using ionic exchange columns. If the plants are modern enough, they'll filter the fluoride

[benvoliothefirst 36]

Off topic: I lived in Ireland for two years where they put fluoride in the water. My parent's didn't know this and were giving me fluoride capsules at the time to strengthen my teeth on dentist's orders. I suffered from a condition called fluoridis (fluoritosis?) where my teeth got... I guess overfluoridated, and now they have a stripey yellowish look to them. Just some food for thought.

On topic: This amounts to a petulant office worker who steals supplies after he's fired, because who cares? He's already fired. Let the next guy buy a new staple gun. Thanks Bush, I hope you choke on a toxic fish.

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: fukuda

Originally posted by: Duke87

Of course, fluoride in tap water leads to fluoride in sewage leads to fluoride in waterways...quote>

Hmm no. fluoride in tap water leads to fluoride in the water treatment plant, where several ions are separated from the water using ionic exchange columns. If the plants are modern enough, they'll filter the fluoride quote>

Two things here:

1) "If the plants are modern enough". You think every last plant in the country is modern enough? I doubt it.

2) What about people who are on city water but not city sewers, and are thus expelling that fluoride into a septic system (which won't filter it)?

Originally posted by: benvoliothefirst Off topic: I lived in Ireland for two years where they put fluoride in the water. My parent's didn't know this and were giving me fluoride capsules at the time to strengthen my teeth on dentist's orders. I suffered from a condition called fluoridis (fluoritosis?) where my teeth got... I guess overfluoridated, and now they have a stripey yellowish look to them. Just some food for thought.quote>

If you ask me, the mistake was giving you flouride capsules, not putting fluoride in the water.

Really, you should be aware if there's fluoride in your water. If it's public water and not well water I'd certainly check to make sure it wasn't fluoridated before I started giving anyone fluoride pills.

...actually, you know, that reminds me:

Fluoridated water is a huge conspiracy by communists to weaken us.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Let us not deviate from the point and wonder into the realm of conspiracy and superstition, instead, we should turn our attention back to the topic from which this whole conversation was spawned...

...BUSH SUCKS!!!

[Deathtoall 28]

I was trying to think of a song that the words could easily be changed to mention all the bad things he has done but i couldn't find a song long enough. (Or a good singer but thats a different point)

Bush, was a joke, a thief, a general loser. A whole lot of terms. He was so bad he generated his own phrase "Bushisms". I hope that never leaves the english language as a reminder of just how bad things got. The US is healing itself. Once again the people have had enough. Is there no way possible that we can prevent Public Enemy number 1 from doing any more damage to the enviroment? The land that i grew up thinking could never change has surprised me. Those people who voted for Barrack have once again have show that we can overcome. The Republican party deserves to spilt and be scattered to the four winds. They have enforced upon the citizen of the US and thus a lot of the english speaking world things that should never had happen. The time is for healing. May the world move forward now instead of being stuck in neutral, sliding down the hill with no brakes.

For a non-US citizen watching on, i breathed a sigh of relief. With our previous kiss arse leader now gone a new chapter begins for our relations with the US. I look foward to the future and hope that may all involved be ready to take the neccesary steps to truly bring about the change we need. Screw the innaugarations, Barrack act now, save our world from more enivromental destruction, the best things happpen when good men do nothing. Barrack act! The time for change is now! Start now!

[Deathtoall 28]

Sorry for the double post guys. I hit reply twice. My net isn't the best.

[fukuda 351]

Originally posted by: Duke87

Originally posted by: fukuda

Originally posted by: Duke87

Of course, fluoride in tap water leads to fluoride in sewage leads to fluoride in waterways...quote>

Hmm no. fluoride in tap water leads to fluoride in the water treatment plant, where several ions are separated from the water using ionic exchange columns. If the plants are modern enough, they'll filter the fluoride quote>

Two things here:

1) "If the plants are modern enough". You think every last plant in the country is modern enough? I doubt it.

2) What about people who are on city water but not city sewers, and are thus expelling that fluoride into a septic system (which won't filter it)?quote>

You were talking about the "inner city" in the original post I quoted, so I was also talking about it

[duack 14]

well bush's final environmental policies arent all bad. at a time that the global economy is in recession the environment isnt that important. these final policies do have a positive effect as they reduce costs for everything they relate to so what bush really is trying to do is boost the economy.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

The global environment is in a recession.

[MrCinatit 30]

Originally posted by: duack well bush's final environmental policies arent all bad. at a time that the global economy is in recession the environment isnt that important. these final policies do have a positive effect as they reduce costs for everything they relate to so what bush really is trying to do is boost the economy.quote>

The environment trumps the economy any way, any how. If we have a lot of money, but little breathable air, drinkable water, usable soil, then those little pieces of paper with numbers become completely useless.

Passing legislation to help the economy while harming the environment is quite short-sighted. Not that I would expect much more from W.

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: MrCinatit

Passing legislation to help the economy while harming the environment is quite short-sighted. Not that I would expect much more from W.quote>

Politicians are going to be short-sighted. That's just how the system works. No one ever plans more than 20-30 years in advance at a time. Simply because for most things making predictions beyond that is impractical and grossly inaccurate. It's impossible to say where the world will be in 2030. What will cars be running on? Where will our electricity be coming from? What modes of transportation will be most common where? How will the population be distributed? These questions, along with many others, are still completely up in the air. And that poses a big problem for trying to estimate future traffic volumes to design highways, rail lines, etc. today. If you look back to the past, you find that the future traffic volumes that planners projected for highways were at times grossly underestimated. The New Jersey Turnpike is the epitomizing example of this. It opened in the mid-50's, as four lanes. Projection was there would be no need to expand it to six lanes until well into the 70's and no further expansion would ever foreseeably be required. By 1960 it was already starting to see congestion problems. Today it's 14 lanes at its widest part and still backs up sometimes.

But if you had told that to someone back when they were designing the highway, they would have thought you were crazy. You'd have been laughed out of the room.

Different issue: sea level rise, if it occurs on a significant level, won't start to be a problem for another hundred years at least. Nobody alive today would live to see it. So naturally people tend to not worry about it. Problem is, by the time we are actually staring down the barrel of it and it will be a problem within the lifetimes of the current generation, it will already be too late to stop it.

So yes, politicians are always short-sighted... because being long-sighted is often impractical and amounts to little more than guesswork - but more importantly because it doesn't win votes.

[Barbarossa 51]

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  Edited September 8, 2012 by Barbarossa