Let's talk pollution

So the EPA wants to make it easier for small towns to contaminate their residents by granting them an affordability exemption? Yep. The EPA, on hearing smaller towns complain about the high cost of clean water, is suggesting that small towns (under 10,000 residents) could have up to three times the amounts of contaminants in their drinking water before they'd have to clean it up.

Said an EPA official, "We're taking the position both public health protection and affordability can be achieved together." Hmm. Not quite seeing how that adds up in this proposal. If three times less the amount of contaminants is considered healthy water how, exactly, is the government providing public health protection by allowing three times greater the amount of contaminants?

Here's a novel idea. Instead of spending billions killing people in Iraq, let's spend a little here at home to give citizens healthy water to drink. Seems kind of basic, doesn't it?

Fortunately, many state governments continue to be more responsible and responsive to environmental concerns. Wyoming's Governor Gov. Dave Freudenthal is taking a stand against drilling in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, asking the Federal government to stop issuing leases in that area. Or how about Idaho's legislature, which has just passed a two year moratorium on new coal-fired power plants in the state? Or California, whose legislature hopes for the Govenator's signature on a new bill designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions even further?

(Those of you who read Grist will see where I got my pollution information today. :-))

Though I've been dissing the federal government's efforts against pollution, there was one major movement forward today. In a surprise move, Tom Delay resigned this morning. And the spinning commences!

Tom, of course, has made this move for love of district and country. "It was obvious to me that the 22nd District deserved more than an election that was turning into a referendum on me rather than what was important to the district." Obviously, he's cared about those he represents for a long time. I'm sure he was working on their behalf each of the three time he was rebuked by the House Ethics Committee for improper behavior. And I'm sure that the money-laundering charges pending were also part and parcel of his professed love of country and Republicans.

His attorney says that his decision to step down "had nothing to do with any criminal investigation." Right.

Did you know that Tom Delay was a pest exterminator in a previous career? Guess he has exterminated himself, at least in the current political realm. Unfortunately, much pollution remains in the House that Delay built, per Josh Marshall's discussion. Let's hope that, as all that Republican corruptions continues to see the light of day, others will see the light. Vote Blue, folks.

Until sometime soon,
Liz