By Doug May
Global warming is not a new issue. In July, 1997 the U.S. Senate reviewed the Kyoto Protocol and voted 95-0 against it (including the vote of Sen. Jeff Bingaman), but the Clinton delegation guided by Vice President Al Gore continued to support it and signed it for the administration in 1998.
In March last year, Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, the first scientist to walk on the moon and former senator spoke to the 2009 International Conference on Climate Change in New York City. This native of Silver City, New Mexico argued that the current warming is part of a natural cycle that began in the 1800s, as Earth began emerging from the “Little Ice Age” – a warming that began long before industrial emissions could have played a role. “It’s a political issue, Schmitt said of global warming fears in a recent interview. “It’s not a scientific issue,” Jack Fleck of the Albuquerque Journal reported.
To place a burden of cap and trade on the people of New Mexico at the same time that the state is trying to deal with a record-breaking decline in revenues seems unthinkable. Senator Steve Fischmann stated in an OP-ED peace in the December 21st Albuquerque Journal, “Projected general fund revenues for fiscal 2010 have declined over 25 percent (from $6.4 billion to $4.7 billion) with no sign of significant revenue growth in sight.” As a result of this situation the governor has created a citizen panel to review potential tax increases. I know of no such panel to address potential budget cuts.
While the governor and the legislature will consider new taxes, Keven Groenewold writing in the January issue of Enchantment states that the state’s Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) is considering a proposal to cap greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New Mexico. This is like adding extra weight to an exhusted horse that is trying to pull the cart out of the mud.
Groenewold, who is a professional engineer and the Executive Vice President of the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association, further says, “Worst of all, this is a regulation that would exist for New Mexico businesses only. It would not apply in other states. The cost of energy and goods would increase significantly in New Mexico, putting our economy at a competitive disadvantage to states around us. Why would a business locate in New Mexico if it could have lower costs for energy, goods and services in a neighboring state?”
Before any single agency imposes such far-reaching and detrimental regulations the whole issue of global warming should continue to be examined. Is there really global warming? What is causing the variation in global temperatures? How does the ecosystem adjust to an increase in CO2? Many scientists are still seeking good answers, but they are under pressure from the outside.
“Politicians say, ‘We need to reduce the uncertainty,’ and I think that’s contributed to a certain mind-set where (climate scientists) try to reduce the uncertainty” when they talk about their research, said Judith Curry, chair of the school of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech. “I’m a little bit worried about that political pressure,” she said.
We need good scientific data and a comprehensive economic impact study before more regulations are mandated.
Groenewold encourages everyone to write to the New Mexico Environment Department, 1190 St. Francis Dr., N2153, Santa Fe, NM 87502. In the letter be sure to include the Case Number: 8-19. You can also go to www.ourenergy.coop to make your voice heard.
Doug May is a retired Lutheran pastor and his views do not necessarily represent the Mountain Mail.
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professional engineer and ibcbetthe Executive Vice President of the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association, further says, “Worst of all, this is a regulationsbobet that would exist for New Mexico businesses only. It would not apply in other states. The cost of energy and goods would increase significantly in New Mexico, putting our economy at a competitive disadvantage to states
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