The conservative group ALEC is once again taking aim at the environment, launching a new effort to abolish a series of EPA regulations. The organization – a nonprofit group of state legislators and private sector representatives – recently held a conference at which they drafted language for bills that would weaken key EPA requirements.
On the organization’s wish list are plans to water down the Endangered Species Act, thwart implementation of proposed EPA standards for existing power plant carbon emissions, and block the agency’s latest new requirement for ground-level ozone.
They reportedly also considered a resolution to abolish the EPA outright, but corporate lobbyists apparently thought that was too extreme.
After being accused in the past of lying about climate change by one of its high profile business members and losing nearly 100 company sponsors, one might expect ALEC to pull back a bit on the rhetoric. But the recent gains by Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate seem to have renewed excitement at targeting environmental regulations and climate change.
Attending the recent conference were climate deniers as well as those who claim that carbon dioxide is not a pollutant. One of the most outrageous quotes came from Richard Bezdek, president of the research firm Management Information Services.
Bezdek likened individuals who believe in pro-climate science to Nazis. “It’s the old Nazi theory, that if you repeat a big lie loud enough and long enough, people believe it. That’s unfortunately what’s happened. It’s very difficult to counter with a silly thing like facts,” he said.
Comments