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Is Lisa Jackson Looking to Get Back at Barack Obama?

Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned. Especially a woman capable of regulating the very air you breathe.

By: Ben Howe (Diary)  |  December 8th, 2011 at 10:00 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

As Obama moves closer to his perception of the center, he moves further from the environmental base that had placed their hopes and dreams in him.  Over the summer, he ended up in a heated battle with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Lisa Jackson over a proposed Ozone rule that he was set to weaken against her wishes.  According to the New York Times, it was not pretty.

The summons from the president came without warning the Thursday before Labor Day. As she was driven the four blocks to the White House, Lisa P. Jackson, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, suspected that the news would not be good. What she did not see coming was a rare public rebuke the president was about to deliver by rejecting her proposal to tighten the national standard for smog.

The half-hour meeting in the Oval Office was not a negotiation; the president had decided against ratcheting up the ozone rule because of the cost and the uncertainty it would impose on industry and local governments.

The environmental movement was left asking whether or not Obama could be trusted with their green dreams.   After the dust settled, things seemed to return back to normal as the EPA moved forward on their agenda, including proposed rules like the extremely controversial (and very costly) Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule.

Unfortunately for the EPA, President Obama aimed his sights on weakening that rule as well.  Someone wasn’t having it.

On Thursday, environmental blogger Frank O’Donnell reported that he had been “reliably informed” of a recent spat taking place between the EPA and the Office of Management & Budget (OMB).

According to the source, OMB is putting the screws to the EPA on the MACT rule.  Specifically, they’d like to get the EPA to be in compliance with a standard that was proposed by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) which is significantly weaker than the current rule in relation to its caps on mercury emissions among other things.

We are informed reliably that the White House Office of Management and Budget, at the behest of the coal-burning electric power industry, is now pushing the EPA to weaken its mercury pollution control requirements in its upcoming toxic pollution rule for power plants. Power companies could emit almost 20% more mercury under the dirty power industry scheme being promoted by OMB bean counters.

Apparently it’s a true story because it was further confirmed by Inside EPA/Environmental NewsStand (Paywalled) who also reported on an “informed source” telling the EPA’s secrets:

Despite the push from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), one informed source says that EPA remains dug in on its proposed 1.2 pounds per trillion British thermal unit (Btu) limit for mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and is unwilling to adopt EEI’s proposed weaker limit of 1.4 pounds per trillion Btu. Environmentalists are also vowing to fight any attempt to soften the air toxics rule’s mercury limit.

Looks like this “informed source” doesn’t want the EPA to give up so easily on destroying the economy and targeting industries.

So who is this magnanimous champion of EPA righteousness that has declared that the OMB shan’t win the day?  Personally, I think it’s Lisa Jackson.

Here’s how I see it playing out:

  1. Lisa Jackson gets irritated with the OMB’s meddling in her business (ironic I know)
  2. She feels that their paltry concerns about things like “economic stability and jobs” are interfering with her ability to save the planet.
  3. She looks at her options and realizes that the only way to deal with this is to turn public opinion against any changes by squealing about the OMB’s plans and the EPA’s heroic defiance.
  4. The only problem is, this would mean getting in trouble with her boss, since it would be his base that gets upset at his OMB for doing this.  And it’s an election year for pete’s sake!
  5. But wait a second…her boss (Obama if you haven’t figured it out) had zero issue with leaving her high and dry when he pulled the rug out from under her on the Ozone Rule over the summer!  Revenge is best served cold and there’s no global warming in the forecast today baby!

From there, it was a simple matter of getting one her media/coalition liaisons at the EPA to leak the story.  The hope would be that these events would rile up the base to hold Obama’s feet to the fire so he’d back off his recent attempts to soften the impact of the MACT rule in its current incarnation in the hopes of making it less politically toxic in an election year.

Thinks she’s not up to it?  Consider this quote from the same New York Times article about the Ozone Rule debacle:

The ozone decision was jarring because it was wholly unexpected. Ms. Jackson considered resigning but soon abandoned the idea as a futile gesture.

Many of the president’s supporters remain unsettled, fearing that the ozone decision meant he was abandoning environmental issues. (emphasis mine)

This election is going to be a test for Barack Obama.  In 2008, he could run on whatever he wanted and claim whatever he wished because he had no authority to do anything at that time.  Everything was blue sky.  Now, as President, his decisions carry consequences.  He can’t say one thing and do another anymore, without expecting a reaction from the people to whom he had broken his promise.

Things aren’t going to get prettier from here.

COMMENTS

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  • DerKrieger

    …then it was 1.1, 1.0, 0.9,…

    What is the end game for the eco-Marxists?

    • http://christopherrenner.blogspot.com Christopher Renner

      The facts that all matter consists of chemicals, and that the dose (and not the substance) makes the poison are irrelevant to fanatics who believe their cause must succeed at any cost.

  • greyeagle

    Governor Perry has been fighting the EPA and Obama since Obama was elected. The EPA has been trying to competely destroy the energy business in TX. They do not care that thousands of people would be put out of work. Obama is jealous that TX has the most new jobs of anywhere in the US. In fact it makes Obama and his band of merry men look REALLY bad.

    • pttx333

      happening to us, and Perry has fought them long and hard – only to get D.C.’s fingers stuck in his eyes! b.o. and his minions will soon be gone – that is my prayer!

    • renl57

      The goal is to drive up the price of using fossil fuels by deliberately restricting their supply. Since the demand is relatively inelastic, a moderate reduction in supply will lead to a sharp rise in price. That was the point of cap-and-trade.

      And that, they hope, will make “green” energy like solar and wind power more price-competitive with fossil fuels.

      Since cap-and-trade didn’t pass, environmentalists started demanding that the EPA accomplish the same goal through regulatory fiat. And Obama agreed, at least in principle.

  • daveoconnor

    and well worth a read and a re-read.

  • hitthedeck

    Someone should ask Congresswoman about the billion CFL light bulbs that Congress has forced on the American people to purchase? These light bulbs have enough mercury content that will cause more damage to human health and the environment than the lead epidemic of the seventies and the cleanup will be impossible. This crime against the America people is being put in force by the Green movement. Obama claimed it would produce thousands of jobs. (Chinese jobs) and I am sure it will produce more local jobs for hazardous waste removal company?s.

    • rickdeckard

      The EPA will have to regulate disposal of the mercury bulbs and tax somebody to pay for enforcement. At no point will we be reminded that a governing body created the mess in the first place.

      This all sounds like a phony dispute cooked up to make Obama look like some kind of centrist. If he gets re-elected, the tree huggers get most of what they want with very little compromise. What’s another 12-15 months in the grand scheme of things? Can’t they hold their bladders for another year? Or is there something about this election that concerns them?

      • Common_Cents

        You cannot make this %$#@ up! In the EPA bulb cleanup you are supposed to open your windows. yeah that works during winter and 10 below zero. Also, you might want to consult your physician.

        For a freakin bulb!

        Here are the instructions. Who the heck is going to read and follow this? Anyone w/ little kids should be terrified to let them crawl on the floor.

        Here is the EPA.GOV war and peace novel on cleaning up a freakin broken bulb.

        And we think we need more government, how? And govt is efficient, how? Is there a secret compensation plan that pays govt by the word?

        ********************

        Before Cleanup

        Have people and pets leave the room, and avoid the breakage area on the way out.

        Open a window or door to the outdoors and leave the room for 5-10 minutes.

        Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning (H&AC) system, if you have one.
        Collect materials you will need to clean up the broken bulb:
        Stiff paper or cardboard
        Sticky tape (e.g., duct tape)
        Damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces)
        Glass jar with a metal lid (such as a canning jar) or a sealable plastic bag(s)

        Top of page
        Cleanup Steps for Hard Surfaces

        Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s) from the home after cleanup.)

        Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.

        Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
        Vacuuming of hard surfaces during cleanup is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken. [NOTE: It is possible that vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor, although available information on this problem is limited.] If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind:
        Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
        Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available; and
        Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.

        Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly.
        Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area. Some states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center.

        Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.
        Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours.

        Top of page
        Cleanup Steps for Carpeting or Rugs

        Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s) from the home after cleanup.)

        Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
        Vacuuming of carpeting or rugs during cleanup is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken. [NOTE: It is possible that vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor, although available information on this problem is limited.] If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind:
        Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
        Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available, and
        Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.

        Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly.
        Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area. Some states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center.

        Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.

        Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours

        Top of page
        Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rugs: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

        The next several times you vacuum the rug or carpet, shut off the H&AC system if you have one, close the doors to other rooms, and open a window or door to the outside before vacuuming. Change the vacuum bag after each use in this area.
        After vacuuming is completed, keep the H&AC system shut off and the window or door to the outside open, as practical, for several hours.

        Top of Page

        Why is it important to clean up a broken CFL properly?

        CFLs and other fluorescent light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. When a fluorescent bulb breaks in your home, some of this mercury is released as mercury vapor. To minimize exposure to mercury vapor, EPA recommends that residents follow the cleanup and disposal steps described on this page.

        Top of page

        What if I can’t follow all the recommended steps? or I cleaned up a CFL but didn’t do it properly?

        Don’t be alarmed; these steps are only precautions that reflect best practices for cleaning up a broken CFL. Keep in mind that CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury — less than 1/100th of the amount in a mercury thermometer.

        However, if you are concerned about the risk to your health from a potential exposure to mercury, consult your physician.

      • renl57

        For Independent voters, Obama is trying to paint himself as judicious rather than a captive of the environmentalists, in contrast to Lisa Jackson.

        Obama no longer has to worry about alienating the environmentalists. They’ve told reporters that they’re satisfied that Obama shot down the Keystone XL pipeline. That was their quid pro quo for keeping their mouths shut during the 2012 campaign season.

  • hitthedeck

    Someone should ask Congresswoman Lee about the billion CFL light bulbs that Congress has forced on the American people to purchase? These light bulbs have enough mercury content that will cause more damage to human health and the environment than the lead epidemic of the seventies and the cleanup will be impossible. This crime against the America people is being put in force by the Green movement. Obama claimed it would produce thousands of jobs. (Chinese jobs) and I am sure it will produce more local jobs for hazardous waste removal company?s.
    Google the CFL safety report and see what I[m talking about. Another example of the Demorats not reading about the product when they passed the bill. I wonder who got paid off on this one?

  • blooch

    Remember that $h!+ sandwich you made Pelosi eat to pass ObamaCare? Uh huh…You still think that was just Ditzy Nancy giving away the game on raiding her couchmate Newt’s Ethics Investigation? Newt may be a cad, but at least he knows how to woo them.

    You’d better think long and hard about who else might have gotten her feelings by your cold, emotionless detached manner. If there’s a personal problem, you might want to get it out there. Women love it when a man comes clean.

  • Locked and Loaded

    only to be met by a Dem gun.

  • Russ Martin

    He’d hold a press conference that would look something like this:

    • hitthedeck

      Good character no-good acting yes. How Hollywood can make the ACLU look like a savior organization and the second amendment look like crap. It goes to show that the ACLU was hijacked by the left years ago. If it was a fair organization it would be fighting for the freedom of religion, free speech and the second amendment.

  • chopshop

    On the contrary, it would’ve been the only honorable way to buck your boss by going public. But then of course there would’ve been consequences for Jackson, not least as the Dems can’t have anyone with principles working for them (however bassackward those principles are).

    Typical lib. She’s all about sacrificing to save the planet untill it’s her doing the sacrificing. Then it’s ‘futile gesture’ country.

  • johnt

    but no votes either. Things are a bit different when you need those little things. I know this hurts Obama but there are other ways he can work to destroy America.
    Of note is the idea that even to modify the particle standards is to abandon standards altogether. A sure marker of the fanatical mind, the all or nothing syndrome residing in the disturbed psyche, the Jacobin mentality. Go for it Lisa!

  • gazill

    I am curious if she is elevated enough in the Washington echelon where she too merits her own car and driver (paid for by us). I understand that is not the point of the article, but that line glared at me. When will they start to where crowns and cloaks (Pelosi already did the royalty parade with her gavel shaped scepter, followed by her servants)?

    • uselogic

      Have you seen Lisa Jackson? She was driven the four blocks because she never could’ve hoofed it. Probably would’ve had a coronary by block #2. She needs to be put under Moochelle’s eating plan for the rest of us.

  • talgus

    In their goal to rid the planet of toxic elements, they would destroy the planet (as in dig up all the arsenic to “save the children”). Their mental illness may require total isolation (put them all in Europe?) as their goal of heaven on earth is NOT an achievable human condition,

  • avagreen

    My hope is that they emasculate each other to the point of complete crash&burn.

    My hope: Keep them busy fighting each other til they cinder out. I’ll watch the bonfire.

  • nhbuckeye

    green movement. They are bunch of control freaks. They could spend their days swaying public opinion and letting free people decide for themselves, but instead they choose the heavy hand of government to squash freedom. They are despicable.

  • travis690

    Actually, Lisa Jackson SHOULD resign in disgrace. That is what she is to the United States. It is a disgrace that a scuzzy bureaucrat like her can stall any chance that the United States has at economic recovery in the next two years.

    By the way: Is this what Obama meant when he said, “My opponent’s plan…is dirtier air and dirtier water”?