Pirate's Cove

Unsurprisingly, the Associated Press finds that the majority of Americans will be losers

(WRAL) President Barack Obama is mandating even steeper greenhouse gas cuts from U.S. power plants than previously expected, while granting states more time and broader options to comply.

The tweaks to Obama’s unprecedented emissions limits on power plants, to be unveiled at the White House on Monday, aim to address a bevy of concerns raised by both environmentalist and the energy industry. The Environmental Protection Agency received more than 4 million public comments after Obama announced the proposed version last year, and opponents of the plan attempted unsuccessfully to stop it in Congress and in the courts.

The AP notes that some states will be assigned much more stringent targets than others. Say, doesn’t that violate the Constitutional provision of equal protection under the law? Bah, when has Obama and his out of control EPA actually cared about that silly document?

The AP goes on to note the potential winners and losers. Here are the winners

ENVIRONMENTALISTS (this is pretty much a feel good “look what we did” moment, because the Enviro groups which back this will soon learn that it costs a whole lot more to run their orgs and fund-raise, as energy prices will skyrocket)

PROCRASTINATING STATES (those which have blown off Obama’s previous targets will have a few extra years)

RENEWABLE ENERGY (Of course, the same environmentalists will file lawsuits to stop the construction of many renewable energy projects, just like they’ve been doing. But, the big money Democrats will see more federal money in their pockets from “loans” and grants)

How about the losers?

YOUR POWER BILL: Although the administration predicts the plan will actually lower the average U.S. energy bill by almost $85 in 2030, companies that produce and distribute electricity aren’t buying it. The savings come from increased use of wind, power and hydro plants, which operate at a cost of close to zero after they’re installed. But acquiring and constructing renewable power sources is still very costly, making it less cost effective in many circumstances. (WT note: if they really operated at close to zero the cost of solar and wind would be much, much less. As for hydro, enviros not only block all new construction, they want existing plants torn down)

The National Association of Manufacturers, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, the National Mining Association, the American Energy Alliance and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association all predicted the rule would drive electricity bills up.

Really, this is the only one that truly matters. Those who will feel the pain the most are all the lower and middle class Americans, ones who’ve already been suffering during this economic malaise of a Presidential administration. Furthermore, as power prices rise, so will the cost of most consumer goods. Adding a few pennies here, a few dollars there, and soon your cost of living goes up dramatically. It’s very simple economic reality.

Natural gas is also a loser, because the plan looks to disallow the growth of this sector.

Not mentioned are all the birds which will be losers, as they are killed in droves by solar and wind projects. But, overall, it will be you and me that will suffer, all while Obama continues to use vast amounts of fossil fuels himself.

Crossed at Right Wing News.