By a vote of 65 to 27, the Senate passed broad legislation requiring the first major increase in fuel-mileage requirements for passenger cars in more than 20 years.
Environmental groups hailed the vote on higher mileage requirements as a long-sought victory that could eventually reduce U.S. gasoline consumption by more than 1 million gallons a day.
There was disappointment, however, that it calls for vast expansion of renewable fuels over the next decade, but provides little in tax breaks or other subsidies to promote those fuels.
The struggle provided a harbinger of potentially bigger obstacles when Democrats try to pass legislation this fall to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases tied to global warming. Moreover Democrats said they would have additional opportunities to push their agenda when the House takes up similar legislation, with the goal of passing it before the July 4 recess.
Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.
There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.
This post is the second of a two part series. Read the first installment, Unreported Emissions From Natural Gas Blow Up BC's Climate Action Plan.
Methane leaks from British Columbia's natural gas industry are likely at least 7 times greater than official numbers increasing the entire provinces' carbon footprint by nearly 25%. That's like putting 3 million more vehicles on BC's roads.
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