Yeah, but they paid a big “fine”…

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money sack
 

Following up on my earlier post about having local government implement energy (money) saving practices that reduce global-warming inducing emissions, I wanted to further expand on the point about the Carbon Coalition’s admonishment to the private sector. On Tuesday, they posted a piece

on their blog that stated

Holding our local businesses and corporations accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions is a necessary step in combating global warming.
In what has become the standard routine here in modern America, forces behind whatever happens to be the environmental “cause du jour” always end up attacking private business. Using the power of government regulation, they smother and stifle activities great and small, often causing added costs that ultimately get born by the consumer. No matter though, because it’s all in the name of saving the planet from the ravages caused by man.
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I say it’s time to take a hard look at the government doing the regulating to see how THEY are doing in the battle to save the environment. Unfortunately, even a cursory glance reveals many areas where they drop the ball. Last week we found out that the NH DOT bridge repair crew has been illegally dumping hazardous materials on state land and jobsites since the early Eighties. Who was minding the store? While the government was putting people in jail for filling puddles now called “wetlands” and other similar egregious acts, state employees were getting paid to dump and bury waste wherever they saw fit. Did anybody go to jail? No. Oh sure, a couple of flunkies might lose their jobs, but others involved now retired will get away scott-free, with no worries other than how to spend all that pension money they get from the NH Retirement System funded with tax dollars. And the guy in charge ten years ago when it was discovered to be happening (the first time) is in charge again today! (DOT Commisioner O’Leary) Probaby he’ll get to the bottom of this, right?
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As the Carbon Coalition calls for holding “local businesses and corporations accountable” in the battle for Earth’s survival, my suggestion to them is to add to that list local governments and non-profits. Why shouldn’t these entities be held to this same standard of accountability? Isn’t it time that the government does something real to fight the scourge of climate change, other than charging higher taxes on the energy Joe and Jane Sixpack have no choice but to use?  As a matter of fact, doing so might be the easiest way to attain the greatest impact in the fight against global warming.
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Oh, and if you’re worried about the crimes committed against the environment by the DOT, don’t fret- they really did get punished. The NH DOT paid a "fine" to the NH DES of over 300 grand
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In an unrelated story, did you know that the NHDOT is nearly broke and is looking to raise the state’s gas tax and maybe raising the toll fees a little? In the June 14th Union Leader, Tom Fahey reported the looming problem:
CONCORD – It will take 35 years and $4.5 billion to complete the state’s 10-year plan to construct and repair bridges and highways, acting Transportation Commissioner Charles O’Leary said yesterday.
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Higher worldwide demand for oil, steel and concrete has created what he said is an unprecedented, three-year inflation rate of 45 percent in the construction industry.

The solution is a combination of fewer grand projects, more emphasis on maintenance and increases in turnpike tolls and the gas tax, he said.

My point? Why the hell should we be happy that the DOT is paying a "fine"? Why do I have to pay for the crimes of the DOT?

pumping gas 

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