UVA Scientists Refute Cuccinelli on Greenhouse Gases

So much for any scientific basis behind Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's kooky anti-EPA lawsuit. Not that there was ever a moment of doubt that this was nothing more than another one of Cooch's far-right-wing, know-nothing, anti-science ideological crusades. Check this out.

Palaeoclimatologist William Ruddiman, professor emeritus, University of Virginia — and author of Plows, Plagues, and Petroleum: How Humans Took Control of Climate and Earth’s Climate: Past and Future — is “confident” of the facts of manmade global warming, and that our emissions of greenhouse gases “carry great risk."

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Atmospheric scientist Jennie Moody, research associate professor, University of Virginia, has concluded that “the public welfare is threatened by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions,” based on her own research and knowledge of the science.

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Wildlife biologist Michael Erwin, research professor, University of Virginia, who feels “there is no question” about the link between greenhouse gases and sea level rise, warns of the consequences to the state of Virginia.

Of course, Ken Cuccinelli is so much more credible on scientific matters than three distinguished University of Virginia scientists. Not.

Instead of Hamstringing EPA, Time for Senate to Do Its Freakin' Job

What Jonathan Capehart says:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and 35 other senators yesterday introduced a bill that would strip the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon. I understand their concerns about the impact EPA action would have on the economy. But pulling the reigns on the revived agency isn't the answer. Proactive congressional action is.

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...Such a measure exists. It's called the Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal or CLEAR Act sponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). In short, it would establish a cap-and-rebate system. A declining cap on greenhouse gas emissions would be set. Pollution permits would be auctioned to industry. And 75 percent of the proceeds would be rebated to the American people through monthly checks on an equal per capita basis. That could mean $1,000 returned to a family of four over the course of a year.

That's right, there's an excellent alternative to EPA regulation of carbon dioxide emission already available. Unfortunately, the dysfunctional U.S. Senate seems to believe that its job is to block everything (health care, clean energy, you name it) and prevent others (e.g., the EPA) from doing what they're supposed to. Hey, here's a thought, how about the Senate do its freakin' job for a change? I know, what a concept.