1984

When federal laws designed to reduce pollution actually force states to scale back their tougher, already in-place laws, we are truly living in bizzare times.

I believe the proper term for it would be "ungood."

A newly announced federal order to reduce mercury pollution from coal-burning power plants will require weakening more stringent state controls that were enacted in Wisconsin only last year, a state official says.

"It's a little frustrating," said Lloyd Eagan, bureau director for the air management program at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in a telephone interview Tuesday night.

The Bush administration ordered Tuesday that power plants cut mercury pollution from smokestacks by nearly half within 15 years, but the worst polluters will be able to buy pollution "credits" from plants that give off less mercury than allowed.

By contrast, the state rule, effective last Oct. 1, required the state's four major power plants to cut mercury emissions in two phases - by 40 percent by 2010 and by 75 percent by 2015.

Wouldn't it be awesome if I stole $200 from the 7-11, and then upon being arrested, promptly turned around and bought a "robbery" credit from someone who hadn't yet committed theft?


"Did someone say 1984?"

*Link via AMERICAblog.