Bush Gets Schooled by the Senate On Environmental Policy

The Senate met today to review Bush’s environmental record. It was sparked by the EPA’s denial of a California waiver to regulate automotive greenhouse gases.

The committee entitled, “Bush Administration Environmental Record at Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency,” met today. Senator Barbara Boxer called the hearing to explore how the administration has held up with respect to environmental integrity. A driving force behind the committee was the denial of California’s petition to curb greenhouse emissions by allowing the state to regulate vehicular fuel efficiency. The hearing was also looking into a proposal to loosen rules protecting endangered species. You can watch a full video of the hearing here.

Boxer, who is chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, wasn’t too happy when two high-level officials at the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Interior failed to show up for the hearing.

“They’re cowardly and they have been a danger to the people of this country,” Boxer said.

Below is just a taste of what Bush and Co have been up to since taking office.

A History of Bush’s Environmental Record

• Proposed drilling of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - October 2000, this was a campaign trail proposition!
• Blocks safeguards on arsenic in drinking water, sulfur in diesel, and releases of raw sewage - January 2001, Inauguration Day
• Bush repudiates the Kyoto Protocol - March, 2001
• 178 Countries agree to Kyoto, Bush does not - June 2001
• Bush kills more of Clinton’s safeguards on drinking water - July 2001
• Bush cuts funds for renewables - February 2002
• Introduces “Clear Skies” initiative which allows for more air pollution - February 2002
• Bush denies EPA findings on Global Warming - June 2002
• Proposes removing wetland protections - January 2003
• EPA silences effects of global warming in environmental report - June 2003
• Creates “Healthy Forrest” initiative which allows more logging - December 2003
• Bush delays mercury reduction for 18 years - January 2004
• NASA scientists censored by Administration on global warming effects - October 2004
• Promises more funding for renewables in State of the Union, breaks the promise five days later - February 2005
• Bush supports House bill allowing more smog - October 2005
• Wants to lower the price of gas at the expense of air quality - April 2006
• Cuts funds for wind and geothermal energy - February 2007
• Bush blocks G8 plans to reduce global warming pollution - June 2007
• Bush opposes incentives for renewables - February 2008
• Bush censors reports on climate change, again - April 2008

Oh, and that image was specifically chosen for the “Dance of the Dwarfs” title. Made me think of our little “Decider.”

Image source: umjanedoan on Flickr

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