I was directed to a news article in the New York Times the other day that really brings to light what we are up against in the fight to bring clean, renewable energy and a good standard of environmental regulations to this country. The Times article delves into the questionable ethics of Oklahoma Representative Dan Boren. A five term Congressman, and an oil and natural gas baron, Boren has used his elected seat as a lobbyist's bully pulpit to push through environmentally unfriendly practices in order to secure a nicer paycheck for himself and his family members.
It is laughable that Boren is affiliated with the Democratic party, however, it does remind us that there are those on both sides of the aisle who are working for their own interests instead of the interests of everyone. Not every environmental cheapskate is a Republican. Boren is an example of what is wrong in Washington, D.C. Here is someone who has not only become richer by the boom in natural gas exploration, but who has undone years of progress in order to get to what he wanted. He worked with Republicans in 2005 to exempt oil and gas companies from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts of 1970. He has lobbied hard to prevent the loss of billion dollar tax breaks for oil and gas companies. He has lied about the harmful effects of hydraulic fracturing in search of natural gas.
It is true that he is promoting an energy source that is much cleaner than oil and coal. However, natural gas drilling has become an environmentally dangerous mining operation. Until the gas companies can figure out a safer way to extract the natural gas, without using harmful chemicals and letting some natural gas escape into the surrounding ecosystems, they need to be discouraged. You can't say you're helping the environment with your product when the very act of obtaining your product is environmentally destructive. It's like saying your helping clean the bathtub by pouring sewage into it.
Fortunately, Mr. Boren will not be seeking re-election next year. He will be, however, considering a run for Oklahoma's governorship. At the very least, he will continue lobbying for a practice that is not doing our environment any favors. We must keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't win the governor's seat in Oklahoma. We must make sure that environmental advocacy groups have the ability to equally combat the lobbying power of the fossil fuel companies.
More presently, we must make sure that his representative's seat is not filled by someone who will do the exact same things. We need someone who will help restore the regulations over the worst offenders and will care more about the environment than they do about the amount of money lining their pocket. We must also urge our legislators to come down hard on the sort of questionable ethics Mr. Boren has been pursuing so that it doesn't happen again. We are up against very tough opponents. Money and power can switch anyone to their side. Those who are a part of them will do anything to retain that position. We must be vigilant against those who would use money and power to destroy instead of renew and regenerate.
It is laughable that Boren is affiliated with the Democratic party, however, it does remind us that there are those on both sides of the aisle who are working for their own interests instead of the interests of everyone. Not every environmental cheapskate is a Republican. Boren is an example of what is wrong in Washington, D.C. Here is someone who has not only become richer by the boom in natural gas exploration, but who has undone years of progress in order to get to what he wanted. He worked with Republicans in 2005 to exempt oil and gas companies from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts of 1970. He has lobbied hard to prevent the loss of billion dollar tax breaks for oil and gas companies. He has lied about the harmful effects of hydraulic fracturing in search of natural gas.
It is true that he is promoting an energy source that is much cleaner than oil and coal. However, natural gas drilling has become an environmentally dangerous mining operation. Until the gas companies can figure out a safer way to extract the natural gas, without using harmful chemicals and letting some natural gas escape into the surrounding ecosystems, they need to be discouraged. You can't say you're helping the environment with your product when the very act of obtaining your product is environmentally destructive. It's like saying your helping clean the bathtub by pouring sewage into it.
Fortunately, Mr. Boren will not be seeking re-election next year. He will be, however, considering a run for Oklahoma's governorship. At the very least, he will continue lobbying for a practice that is not doing our environment any favors. We must keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't win the governor's seat in Oklahoma. We must make sure that environmental advocacy groups have the ability to equally combat the lobbying power of the fossil fuel companies.
More presently, we must make sure that his representative's seat is not filled by someone who will do the exact same things. We need someone who will help restore the regulations over the worst offenders and will care more about the environment than they do about the amount of money lining their pocket. We must also urge our legislators to come down hard on the sort of questionable ethics Mr. Boren has been pursuing so that it doesn't happen again. We are up against very tough opponents. Money and power can switch anyone to their side. Those who are a part of them will do anything to retain that position. We must be vigilant against those who would use money and power to destroy instead of renew and regenerate.
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