Editorial: Take bigger bite out of emissions
Gov. Deval Patrick's attempt to increase fuel efficiency and decrease the state's dependence on fossil fuels is welcome. But, like most politicians, Patrick isn't going far enough to enact real change.
The governor on Tuesday proposed requiring biofuel be added to all diesel fuel and home heating oil sold in Massachusetts. The proposal would require 2 percent of diesel and home heating oil to be made up with biofuel by 2010, and 5 percent by 2013.
The plan would also provide tax incentives for companies to create ethanol more efficiently through cellulosic ethanol production. Ethanol is made from corn and other agricultural products and helps reduce harmful emissions.
Massachusetts is the third-largest home heating oil market in the United States, so any efforts to improve that fuel's efficiency will make an impact. But the governor is missing an opportunity to truly be a leader in fuel efficiency and environmental issues, something that has been sorely lacking in a country with a presidential administration beholden to oil companies and Big Energy.
"For the sake of the environment, our economy and our national security, we must act and we must act now," Patrick said during his news conference introducing the proposal Tuesday.
The key word is act. While Patrick deserves credit for his efforts to make Massachusetts the first state to require the heating oil and diesel biofuel mix, he also deserves criticism for failing to force companies and citizens to reduce emissions. The governor's proposal does not include any provisions requiring a net reduction in greehouse gas emissions.
We've had enough of politicians pushing through feel-good legislation to look like they're making an impact without actually holding anyone to account. President Bush has been pushing such initiatives for years, requiring nothing more than voluntary compliance, which means no compliance. That's why just 6 percent of the country's energy needs are met by renewable energy sources. The federal government forecasts that number to go up in the next 20 years ... to 7 percent.
Unacceptable!
Meanwhile, we continue to burn dirty fuels when we know how badly we are destroying the atmosphere, showing no regard for future generations or even ourselves. This is no longer a problem for the future. We are already seeing the consequences: melting ice caps, fresh water shortages, poor air quality, global climate change, etc. And it's not like we're doing it to keep costs down. We're paying $3 a gallon now.