Smokestack lightning

Interesting that GWB asked Americans to conserve energy (live on CNN right now) on the same day that he moved to relax pollution standards on businesses.

So it's mostly about "increasing our energy security," as he puts it, rather than reducing environmental damage, taking no more than our share, or -- gasp! -- trying to live gently on a rapidly changing planet.

It's good to hear the President finally acknowledging that individual consumers need to make sacrifices as we spend massive resources in an attempt to reshape the governments of some of the world's largest oil producers. Virtually anytime I hear an authority figure stressing conservation, I think it's a good thing, regardless of the circumstance or his party affiliation. But it's still upsetting to know that polluters are celebrating relaxed environmental regulation on the same day that consumers are being asked to huddle in the darkness.

Meanwhile, I suppose if you're going to pursue a coal-centric energy policy, investigating ways to burn it more cleanly isn't the worst thing. As for drilling in the Arctic, well, I think it'll happen eventually (to my chagrin). Looks like those caribou will be huddling in the darkness too -- up against a brand-new warm pipeline.


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