Despite my fears that it may start another mind-numbing, bridge-to-nowhere debate on global warming climate change, I mentioned this story from Politico’s “Morning Energy” report on our statewide radio talk show this morning.
THE CHINA CLIMATE PROBLEM: The Obama administration is talking tough about tackling climate change, but several key Republicans say the president must first deal with a difficult reality: China. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, on Monday introduced a bill that would prohibit the U.S. from enacting limits on carbon dioxide emissions until China, India and Russia take their own steps.
That move sidesteps questions around man-made emissions’ effect on the Earth’s climate and instead moves to link any U.S. action to those of the rapidly industrializing nations whose greenhouse gas pollution is rising as they grow their energy production. China has already surpassed the U.S. in carbon dioxide emissions, and its appetite for new energy sources is unlikely to abate. Erica Martinson takes on an international flavor: http://politico.pro/126iD88
Meanwhile, The Drudge Report is giving international attention to an AP story focusing on North Dakota, and the struggles of coping with economic prosperity as a result of the oil boom. While these accounts are fairly well documented here in Montana and the Dakotas, it certainly is worth reading this very detailed report, and some new numbers contained in the piece:
In Williston, the epicenter of the growth, the local hospital opened a new birthing center, workers are building a giant new rec center and students are overflowing in a school that once sat empty. Civic leaders have been approving building permits and hiring police and teachers and nearly every kind of government worker.
Twelve years ago, Williston’s population stood at a little more than 12,500 people. Now, officials there estimate the town services 38,000 on a daily basis, based partly on water and sewer use. They expect it could hit 50,000 by 2017.
Imagine that- government employees actually benefitting from a private sector economic boom. I thought the government jobs had to be in place, and *then* the private sector would flourish. (sarcasm of course)