Ohio is never green enough

With the recent US Supreme Court ruling pointing the way towards greenhouse gas reductions, enviro issues are once again at the fore in DC and Ohio. It’s no longer a matter of if we’ll deal with global warming – but a matter of how and when.

So, where are Ohio’s enviro groups in this fight? Some, like OEC and MORPC, continue to work with OEPA on common-sense solutions. Unfortunately, most are largely antagonistic and increasingly irrelevant.

Take the Sierra Club (please). While many Ohioans have worked hard to overcome the built-in bias towards fossil fuels, the Sierra Club recently opposed the permits for two ethanol plants in Central Ohio. Biofuels are a crucial bridge fuel in our fight against global warming – but they aren’t green enough for the Big Greenies. 

Then there’s the issue of nuclear power. While most Ohio enviros are against it, some nationals like NRDC and Environmental Defense are re-thinking their positions in light of the extreme threat of global warming. Nuclear power production is essentially carbon-neutral (though uranium mining is an energy-intensive industry). Yes, there are clear regulatory deficiencies (think Davis-Besse). Disposal issues are still a concern.  Bottom line – we can’t stop global warming without nukes in the mix, but enviros are still steadfast in their opposition.

See, all this is what’s wrong with our party and its coalition of supporters – the inflexibility and antagonism and just plain unworkable policy expectations.  And, if we’re serious about stopping global warming, it’s time for Ohio’s enviro groups to drop the dogmatic, neo-60s litmus tests and start focusing on what works (or can work).

(p.s., Happy Belated Earth Day!)