State commission approves yet more emissions cuts. I should have added insurrection to my list. Colorado Senate Republican money saving bill package.
State commission approves yet more emissions cuts.
I wanted to update a story from May last year (see the first link for the earlier newsletter).
According to the Sum and Substance article linked second below, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC -- an unelected board tasked with regulating air quality in Colorado), recently approved the rather strict regulations they had been mulling for the "midstream" sector of the natural gas supply chain in Colorado.
Let's back up a step. The midstream part of the natural gas supply chain is the part of the natural gas "lifecycle" that lies between getting it out of the ground and burning it in, say, your furnace.
For example, in order to get natural gas to move through pipelines, you must compress it similar to the way that you compress air to fill up a basketball. There is resistance in pushing anything through pipes and so, over great distances, the gas must occasionally be re-compressed to ensure it flows at the same speed and pressure. These compressor stations are a part of the midstream sector.
In casting her vote to join the unanimous finding by the AQCC on the tougher midstream rules, AQCC board member Rudolph said the following (quoted from the article):
“'As a society, I think we all need to figure out how we shoulder the cost of climate issues,' AQCC member Martha Rudolph said before joining her fellow commissioners in approving the rules, which go into effect next year, unanimously. 'I recognize that requiring midstream in this rulemaking to shoulder so much of the costs is tough. How difficult this is is not lost on us. But we’ve got to make movement here, and we’ve got to find the 20% (cuts).'”
This quote encapsulates a couple of dynamics at play with unelected boards, things likely famliar to readers here:
1. The fact that boards are directed to do what they do by state law. I am convinced that part of the reason that our legislature has abdicated responsibility for things like this is because they (and our governor) are savvy enough to require boards to make the unpopular moves they support but don't want to publicly support.
2. Why might that be? Cost. As Rudolph has it, rules mean costs. They mean updating equipment, they mean compliance. Quoting from higher up in the article: "During a two-day hearing, energy companies warned that the 20.5% reduction in emissions versus 2015 levels come at too high a price — an estimated $86.3 million per year in sector-wide compliance costs that would rise if the sector experienced significant growth."
I'll leave it to you to dig into the details of the rules if you'd like. There is a lot more detail about how these rules are to be implemented (including a credit trading scheme similar to the idea of cap and trade in the emissions game).
Just understand that costs on those who help deliver the fuel you use to heat your home, heat your water, and cook your food will inevitably end up costing YOU money.
Perhaps that's what Rudolph meant by all of society shouldering the costs of climate issues.
So glad that an unelected group of individuals in Denver get to decide this for all of us.
Related:
From the "check out the difference in story emphasis/headlines dept", Mr. Booth's (the Sun's intrepid environmental activist -- oops, reporter) take on the same story as above.
I should have added insurrection to my list.
I wrote an op ed a bit back about easy tells to know that a news org leans left. I linked to it below.
I had a friend tell me recently (and he's right) that I missed one. Want to another word to add to the list of liberal "tells"?
Insurrection--in regard to Jan 6th that is.
To paraphrase Foxworthy, if you see an outlet or reporter refer to what happened on the 6th as an "insurrection", this despite the fact that no one arrested and charged in connection with the 6th has faced such a charge, you're probably reading something left-leaning.
To wit, consider the recent Colorado Politics headline in the screenshot.
This contrasted with the gallery of other descriptions in other outlets: "breach", "riot", etc.
https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2024/11/25/gaines-easy-tells-news-source-leans-left/
Colorado Senate Republican money saving bill package
I wrote not too long back about the lefty media's narrative setting about Republicans and their ignoring Republican legislative efforts.
As such, I thought I might try to make it a priority to highlight Republican legislative efforts, especially those I agree with. Please take note that this is also your invitation to add same to comments and/or to send them to me.
The Colorado Politics article linked below has a package of bills Colorado Senate Republicans aim to use to make Colorado more affordable. Haven't given it a really thorough look yet, but a quick glance reveals some good ideas (in principle--it is wise to wait to see the actual text and/or fiscal notes before making final judgment).
Worth a look and if you like the policy, some support by contacting your state rep or senator to give your thoughts (and/or speaking at a committee hearing).
Anything in there especially strike your fancy? Add that to the comments too if you feel moved to.
https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorado-senate-bills-affordability/article_04ee150a-d2a7-11ef-b9a5-2b0b3e7042ae.html