Europe's ETS: Good branding, poor substance

[Pielke Jr] As a brand, the commitment to climate policy has served Europe well, even as it has stepped back from a proposed tax on airline emissions and seen the recent expansion of new coal generation. However, when Europe has faced decisions that appear to place economic growth in opposition to climate policies, no one should be surprised that policy makers have chosen growth.

Believe or Know? Modern Environmentalism Reconsidered (Earth Day thoughts for midcourse correction) — MasterResource

When E. O. Wilson said “people would rather believe than know,” he perfectly summed up the state of modern environmentalism. For the fact is that the movement has been radicalized to such an extent that its policies are now characterized by senseless agendas better described as anti-science, anti-business and even anti-human; not pro-environment.

Germany To Open Six More Coal Power Stations In 2013 | NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

Germany’s dash for coal continues apace. Following on the opening of two new coal power stations in 2012, six more are due to open this year, with a combined capacity of 5800MW, enough to provide 7% of Germany’s electricity needs.

Including the plants coming on stream this year, there are 12 coal fired stations due to open by 2020. Along with the two opened last year in Neurath and Boxberg, they will be capable of supplying 19% of the country’s power.

EPW Republicans Set Five Markers for McCarthy Confirmation as EPA Administrator

The first request is that McCarthy commits the EPA to issue new guidance requiring that all official business be conducted through official e-mail accounts. The second is that McCarthy turn over to the committee unredacted private e-mails that were used to conduct official business. These two requests arise out of the “Richard Windsor” scandal.

The third request is the whopper. EPW Committee Republicans ask McCarthy to turn over the underlying data used to promulgate Clean Air Act rules.