Thursday, 10 Nov 2005

The Mod Squad

GOP moderates derail drilling plans for Arctic Refuge and offshore areas

Opponents of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge got some shocking good news last night: 25 moderate House Republicans, led by Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.), defied pressure from the GOP leadership and vowed to oppose a $54 billion, filibuster-proof budget bill unless provisions allowing drilling in the refuge and in offshore areas around the country were eliminated -- and promises made they would not return. And lo, in late-night negotiations, House GOP leaders blinked; the provisions are gone. This unexpected development of moderate GOP spine is a blow to the Bush administration's plans for expanded dirty-energy production, but the struggle ain't over. Senate drilling monomaniacs Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) say they'll bottle the legislation up well into 2006 if the final version doesn't include Arctic Refuge drilling. But the House coalition avers it'll stand firm. Elephant fight! Elephant fight!


There's been much hue and cry over the methamphetamine epidemic and its devastating effects on addicts. Apparently they lose their teeth. But what about the earth's teeth, friends? What about the earth's teeth? The toxic byproducts of meth production are far from eco-friendly. Today, Erica Gies talks with the people trying to clean up the meth mess.

The Great Blight North

Canadians' bodies polluted with over three dozen toxic chemicals

O, Canada: great big land of maple syrup, socialized health care, and ... toxic bodies. According to a new report, average Canadians may be packed with more than 40 human-made carcinogens, hormone disruptors, and substances that mess with reproduction and fetal development. Researchers tested 11 volunteers -- whose lifestyles represented a cross-section of society -- for 88 chemicals. Participants tested positive for an average of 44 of the substances, including heavy metals, pesticides, PCBs, and more -- and it didn't seem to matter how green or health-conscious their habits were, as the clean-living enviro in the group scored a 48. The health impacts of the chemicals are unclear, but Rick Smith of Environmental Defense Canada thinks it's obvious folks would be better off without them. "We are part of a huge uncontrolled experiment," he said, "the outcome of which is entirely unpredictable." Health Canada says it'll look into the matter.

Marsh Madness

Gloomy prospects for Louisiana's wetlands, says a new report

Louisiana's coastal marshes are screwed. That's the cheery news from an expert panel convened last year by the National Academy of Sciences. In a report released yesterday, the panel assessed a 10-year wetlands-restoration plan developed by the Army Corps of Engineers, concluding that the four credible parts of the five-part plan would slow coastal wetlands loss by only 20 percent a year. The original 30-year, $13 billion Louisiana Coastal Area study was shot down after the Bush administration complained that it was too large, too costly, and looked too far into the future. But a longer-term approach is just what the panel endorses. It's time to start deciding which communities will have to relocate inland as the Gulf of Mexico's waters continue to advance, say the experts, and map a "managed retreat" from the coast. "If we don't draw this map," says geologist and study director Dan Walker, "nature will."

Leave Us in Our Time of Greed

Oil execs defend profits, drink all the beer, leave the place trashed

The nation was treated to an exquisite piece of Kabuki theater yesterday, as Big Oil executives trudged to Congress to justify their record profits at a time when pricey gasoline and the looming threat of sky-high home-heating costs have Americans up in arms. The Republican leadership decided to give the oil chieftains a stern talking-to. But not too stern, mind you: Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who chaired the hearing, refused to have them testify under oath. Despite the deference, the execs didn't do much to provide anxious senators with political cover. They said any temporary tax or fee on their profits is a bad idea. They don't particularly feel like voluntarily chipping in to defray heating costs. They want regulations governing refinery construction eased. And, most amusing, they don't even need all the tax breaks and subsidies Congress insists on lavishing on them. In short, the message was: Leave us alone. Shoo, now. Shoo.