EPA: Gleick Who?

Russ Steele

The EPA gave the Pacific Institute, Peter Gleick’s environmental sand box over $468,000 in grants.

 $25,000 to evaluate indoor air interventions to reduce diesel particulate matter in West Oakland, Ca.

$100,000 for “The identified issue for this project is exposure to diesel emissions and other environmental hazards associated with inappropriate land use within West Oakland.”

$223,675 to “make use of a broad-based multi-stake-holder group (i.e. the West Oakland Toxic Reduction Collaborative) to assess conditions, develop solutions and support and leverage their implementation as related to environmental and public health burdens from air and other toxics.

$120,000 for “This amendment extends the project and budget ending dates from August 31, 2003 to December 31, 2003. There is no change in the approved EPA funding amount of $50,000 for your diesel truck emission reduction initiative. The conditions numbered 1 through 7 in the award remain in full force and effect.”

You would think that the EPA should be proud of this relationship with one of California’s leading environmentalist gadflies, but I guess not. They have wiped all evidence of the Pacific Institute grants off their web page.

A list of EPA’s grants to nonprofits that omits mention of Gleick’s Pacific Institute.

What North Dakota Knows that California Doesn’t

Brian Calle in the City Journal

 The real boom is in traditional energy, not “green jobs.”

If California policymakers want to lift the state out of its economic malaise, they would do well to emulate . . . North Dakota. Once the least-visited state in America, the Peace Garden State is rapidly becoming the economic envy of the nation. Its 3.5 percent unemployment rate is the lowest of any state, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. North Dakota also boasts a state budget surplus of $1 billion. Compare these figures with California’s 11.7 percent unemployment rate—second highest in the country—and a likely $13 billion budget deficit in the coming fiscal year, and suddenly the Great Plains look like an attractive alternative to the Golden State.

You can read the rest of the article HERE. Brian concludes:

While Golden State legislators bow to special interests and dither in a dream world where “green jobs” save the day, North Dakota is reaping the economic benefits of traditional energy production. It’s time California did the same.

 

Union On Line Reader Numbers In Decline

Russ Steele

I have posted the latest on line visitor numbers for the Union Web Site since they went behind a pay wall.  Click on the Navigation Button above to see the latest trend line.