WASHINGTON — The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act on Thursday night by a vote of 253 to 170. What may appear to be a mundane spending bill includes a number of measures meant to undo environmental programs.
Never let it be said that Republicans don’t have strong feelings about progress…because they’re opposed to virtually anything that smacks of it. Technologies that might move America towards energy self-sufficiency, cheaper energy, and/or greener energy are, to Republican orthodoxy, verboten. New energy technologies threaten the established order, which means companies and individuals who donate large sums of money to the GOP.
Who says government isn’t for sale?
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is a poorly camouflaged Republican effort to torpedo new, more efficient, and more economical technologies and prevent them from being widely accepted and thus threatening the interests (and bottom line) of their benefactors.
Slashes funding for renewable energy programs in the Department of Energy by more than $100 million, while boosting funding for coal and other fossil fuels.
Bars the Department of Energy from enforcing energy efficiency standards for light bulbs.
Prevents the Energy Department from using appropriated funds for its climate model development and validation program
Forbids spending to “design, implement, administer or carry out specified assessments regarding climate change.”
Slashes funding for a federal program that provides incentives for swapping low-efficiency toilets for higher-efficiency models.
If Republican had their way, we’d be limited to heavy, fuel-inefficient American cars, incandescent light bulbs, and toilets using state of the art 1890s technology. Hey, if it’s worked all this time, why should we change now? Besides, if Americans start using new technologies, those who pay Republican Congressman to protect their interests won’t be happy. And if there’s one thing Republicans understand, it’s the language of money.
The Republican Party: The worst government money can buy…not that they care how they’re viewed. As long as they can convince the American Sheeple to vote against their interests every two years, who cares…amiright?
Progress? That’s for losers and Liberals.
