EPA, EPA, EPA!!!

Yes, I know the subtitles are distracting, and the audio is pretty bad, but seriously, what better way to introduce the following???

Found this on The Foundry website at Heritage.org earlier today: 

EPA Blocks Oil Drilling in Alaska
There are an estimated 27 billion barrels of oil waiting to be tapped in the Arctic Ocean, off the coast of Alaska. But after spending five years and nearly $4 billion, Shell Oil Company has been forced to abandon its efforts to drill for oil in the region.

With gas at $4 per gallon and higher, one might think that more oil would be a good thing. So what’s the road block? The Environmental Protection Agency.
...

The EPA is withholding necessary air permits because of a one square mile village of 245 people, 70 miles from the off-shore drilling site.
...

The EPA’s appeals board ruled that Shell had not taken into consideration emissions from an ice-breaking vessel when calculating overall greenhouse gas emissions from the project. Environmental groups were thrilled by the ruling.

“What the modeling showed was in communities like Kaktovik, Shell’s drilling would increase air pollution levels close to air quality standards,” said Eric Grafe, Earthjustice’s lead attorney on the case.
...

The Environmental Appeals Board has four members: Edward Reich, Charles Sheehan, Kathie Stein and Anna Wolgast.

All are registered Democrats and Kathie Stein was an activist attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund. Members are appointed by the EPA administrator, Lisa P. Jackson.

So what does Lisa P. Jackson do?  Great question! 

Let's follow her through last week and Earth (Founded by Ira 'Didn't mean to kill my girlfriend, but hey, stuff happens, you know' Einhorn) Day festivities!

The following is found on the EPA.gov site:

This week Administrator Lisa P. Jackson toured the country to listen to Americans and help bring awareness around the environmental issues that affect them.

· April 18: Administrator Jackson announced the formation of EPA’s Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships initiative. Strong relationships with faith and neighborhood organizations will help promote environmental stewardship that will lead to cleaner communities, encourage healthier families and build a stronger America. 
Moos Note:  What about that whole separation of Church and State thing I keep hearing some much about?

· April 19: Administrator Jackson and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with farmers and ranchers in Iowa to discuss EPA and USDA’s joint efforts to ensure that American agriculture continues to be productive. Agriculture is part of the foundation of the American economy. EPA’s mission to safeguard clean air, clear water and productive land is a critical part of sustaining farming jobs and productivity.
Moos Note:  I'm pretty sure that farmers and ranchers have a WHOLE LOT MORE concern for their livestock and crops than a bureaucrat from DC does - it's what they DO for a living.·

April 20: Administrator Jackson traveled to New Orleans to tour a wetlands restoration project on the Mississippi/Louisiana shore line on the one year anniversary of the BP oil spill. She later joined a group of community members for a tour of a successful marsh restoration project at Bayou Dupont. Also, EPA awarded nearly $300,000 in grants to gulf region organizations that are helping educate residents about health and environmental concerns following the spill.
Moos Note:  Yes, mustn't forget the 'Giving money away to people who act properly' portion of the week.  Luckily for us it was ONLY $300k.  But, hey, it's a per week give-away, right???  What's $300k x 52 weeks a year?  Ah, never mind, it'll just make me sad.

· April 21: Administrator Jackson is joining Philadelphia Mayor Nutter to highlight green infrastructure by focusing on the Big Green Block initiative, a collaborative sustainability project at and around Shissler Recreation Center. Green infrastructure reduces water pollution by capturing and filtering rain runoff using green roofs, permeable materials, alternative street and building design, trees, rain gardens and rain harvesting systems.
Moos Note:  Yeah, that's what I want to do - drink 'filtered' rain runoff from shingles in Philadelphia, PA.  I don't drink BEER made in Philly; let alone 'roof water' from around Shissler Recreation Center... 

· April 22: Administrator Jackson will visit the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. to learn about the zoo’s innovative sustainability efforts.
Moos Note:  Ms. Jackson was shocked to learn that Zoo Animals 'poop' while in captivity.  The EPA is ordering the release of zoo animals nationwide in order to 'GreenScape' these zoos by removing anything 'brown' in color.  In the future, anyone wishing to see Zoo animals can order them via DVD from www.epa.gov/historychannelDVDstore.

p.s.:  I made that last part up.  

Okay, so here's the deal:  Gas prices are going through the roof (by design) so it's really not a surprise when the EPA tells an oil company they can't drill HERE (anywhere people, animal, fish, spores, molds, or fungus, live).  Fine.  

Just as long as the White House understands that the BILLIONS which come in from gas taxes are at risk if we're not driving as much because we can't afford it.  So be it.

If it wasn't so serious, it'd be laughable.