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What's in Bush's $3 Trillion Budget for the Environment?
Bush's FY2009 budget, much criticized for its $3.1 trillion price-tag, has some surprising plans for the nation's environment like the Birds Forever Initiative, and some not-so-surprising endeavors, like the proposal for drilling in the Arctic that Congress previously blocked. Here's a summary of the environmental highlights.
The Good
—The new Birds Forever Initiative" grants an $8 million increase to Fish and Wildlife Service for monitoring, assessment, and conservation of migratory bird species. Would continue 2008 budget increase of $35.9 million for conservation of 200,000 acres of vital stopover habitat.
—$103 million to NASA and $74 million to NOAA for new equipment to continue climate research. NASA would also receive $910 million through 2013 to fund new missions.
—$49.2 million for "clean diesel" grants.
—Increased enforcement budget for the EPA, including additional $2.4 million for criminal enforcements.
The Bad
—Projects to improve sewer systems and clean up waterways reduced by $134 million from 2008, putting more costs on state governments.
—Funding for low-income residents to "weatherize" their homes (better windows, more insulation) cut from $280 million to $60 million.
—$110 million cut from Land and Clean Water Conservation Fund.
—Proposals to drill for oil and natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
—$3.7 million cut from endangered species program.
The 2009 budget also included a request from the Department of Energy for $648 million for "clean coal" research and technology, the largest request from the department in more than two decades.
Looks good, cutting the welfare programs that state, and local governments can handle or the rich private foundations, even industry. The cuts will enable us to carry on the war for Israel.
Trust Bush to ask for another bloated budget that does little to aid the environment or the poor and middle class. Like Ahab's obsession with Moby Dick, Bush is obsessed with ruining the Artic wilderness so his already filthy rich buddies can earn a little more. If Congress in their infinite insanity passes this budget is there any hope left?
Even worse, his budget severely cuts international family planning funds. These funds are our best strategy among other things to protect endangered species and to conserve their habitat. The budget does not deal with our world's FUTURE; it only responds to political pressures of today.
Don't worry about the family planning cuts, the Private Foundations have plenty of money to fill the void, with plenty left over for other causes.
There MAY be such a thing as "clean coal," but ONLY if the relatively massive CO2 burden of gasified coal is completely remediated through sequestration or some other strategy.
Sequestration is far from prime-time, but if it works as billed, then perhaps coal should be considered as PART of an evolving alternative energy strategy.
The reason the WH likes it, of course, is because it'll continue to make lots of money for the important people. The reason the rest of us should dislike it is, it continues to put off the day when we start to actually develop sources of energy that don't put CO2 into the air.
However: Even "clean" coal would only be clean in the fuel-production phase, not in the fuel-burning phase, and would thus be no better than burning oil.
As for cutting the Environmental Protection budget, that makes perfect sense, for someone who never intended to waste money on the environment in the first place.
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Kill your TV, and free your mind.