We have new C.A.F.E. (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards for automobiles. That is a good thing and long overdue.
But, the problem with smokestacks persist with no real sundowning in sight.
Smokestacks are not like cars. There is no 'new model' on the market that moves the consumer to increase fuel efficiency or reduce emissions to create a 'planet friendly' outcome.
Smokestacks are major infrastructure investments. That is why President Obama insisted on funding for alternative energy efforts after he was elected. He thought it would fix this lethargic component to USA carbon emissions. It hasn't and it has been four years and lots of opportunity. There is only thing that is going to change this and it is regulation that forces this out of it's lethargic state.
There are many, many smokestacks in the USA classified as "Unattainable." That means they are supplying a service BUT unable to comply to standards for cleaner air even under The Clean Air Act. Do the owners of these smokestacks care? Heck, no. So what if they spew tons of emissions every year. It doesn't matter if people are effected by the profiteers. To them they are providing the ONLY valuable service possible. This is nothing but Old Money holding onto their pathetic profits.
It is unfortunate this level of action has to occur because for decades the federal government since The Clean Air Act has asked private industry to consider the changes they had to make. Asking and providing funding was not enough, so now we are at a climate impasse and we can't put it off any longer.
I am grateful President Obama is willing to move forward with these long overdue changes. He has been infinitely patient as have we all. It is time power pre-empted profiteers that do not care about people. They accept danger to life for profitability when it does not have to exist.
Enough.
