Bush set to relax rules protecting species

[LowlyPion]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/20/AR2008112003465.html

Apparently the new rule is written to prevent the global warming nuts from devastating our economy by forcing us to curb greenhouse gas emissions because some polar bear has less ice to walk on...

Actually these rules can likely be set aside by the next Congress.

As to ruining the economy, the Republicans have plenty of experience with that it seems. I guess they don't want others to horn in on their specialty?

 

[chemisttree]

Even better, the rule states that the agency is not required to consult (it doesn't forbid it) and refers to the effects manifested only through global processes. Pretty much a direct reference to global warming being specifically excluded.

The rule states: "Federal agencies are not required to consult on an action when . . . the effects of such action are manifested only through global processes and (i) cannot be reliably predicted or measured at the local scale, or (ii) would result at most in an extremely small, insignificant local impact, or (iii) are such that the potential risk of harm to species or habitat are remote."

 

[LowlyPion]

Even better, the rule states that the agency is not required to consult (it doesn't forbid it) and refers to the effects manifested only through global processes. Pretty much a direct reference to global warming being specifically excluded.

Not to worry. These kind of fascist maneuvers by the Bush-Cheney team in the last spasms of exercising their vindictive power will likely be rooted out.

Change is coming. And the stale air in Washington is being sent on its way to the bridge to nowhere.

I suspect that in the end these kinds of thing are at heart merely posturing and playing to their dwindling base.