Monday, December 26, 2011
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Paul Krugman examines the new EPA regulations for mercury and air toxics for power plants and his column breaks down into the three above named categories.
The Good
The Good
I got my wish, in the form of new Environmental Protection Agency standards on mercury and air toxics for power plants. These rules are long overdue: we were supposed to start regulating mercury more than 20 years ago. But the rules are finally here, and will deliver huge benefits at only modest cost.The Bad
As far as I can tell, even opponents of environmental regulation admit that mercury is nasty stuff. It’s a potent neurotoxicant: the expression “mad as a hatter” emerged in the 19th century because hat makers of the time treated fur with mercury compounds, and often suffered nerve and mental damage as a result...The Ugly
The E.P.A. explains: “Methylmercury exposure is a particular concern for women of childbearing age, unborn babies and young children, because studies have linked high levels of methylmercury to damage to the developing nervous system, which can impair children’s ability to think and learn.”
And it’s a deal Republicans very much want to kill.Ever since the advent of Teabaggers and Killer Kochs the Republican party have been apostles of foul water and unhealthy air and avid supporters of anything that will bring us back to the dirty old days. And that is why he closes with a dire warning.
mindless opposition to “job killing” regulations is now part of what it means to be a Republican. And I have to admit that this puts something of a damper on my mood: the E.P.A. has just done a very good thing, but if a Republican — any Republican — wins next year’s election, he or she will surely try to undo this good work.And its your choice whether you stop it or not.
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Darn that job killin' EPA if I want to sell formaldehyde soaked cigarettes to people isn't that my right?
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