The Obligatory

I read this article on the L.A. Times today (free registration required), which was pretty depressing.

In case you don't feel like registering, the gist of it is this - the Department of Energy and the Bureau of Land Management are getting a hard push from Congress to approve paths for new oil and gas pipelines and high-tension powerlines. Oh, and they want to cut through National Forests, Reserves, and Parks. Oh, and they also don't want to go through that whole "impact study" process. They just want it done ASAP.

Now, I understand the Southwest is a booming population area and all, and new utility infrastructure is inevitable. But to try to rush these developments through without the standard impact study is pretty irresponsible - that's when most local citizens first find out about the projects, and when the builders learn where they can build with the lightest footprint.


Say nothing of the aesthetic impact of such construction. According to a map of potential routes, the Angeles National Forest and Santa Monica Mountains are absolutely scarred with lines. Energy companies are proposing developing swaths of land five miles wide in some places.

Of course, this is a complicated issue in general. Look at the furor over the proposed wind farms on Cape Cod - yes, views will be partially obstructed for local residents, but it will also greatly reduce dependance on fossil fuels, and potentially provide enough electricity to shut down more polluting plants elsewhere.

Thankfully we forward-thinking Californians have other potential options...

Like the green tax shift enough people petitioned to get on the California November ballot, which would basically tax oil and gas companies in order to fund further construction of renewable energy and green research. It's not perfect, but it's a large step in the right direction. Of course, this will probably get sensationalized into "Sacramento Politicians want to raise your gas prices." I look forward to whatever action film analogy Arnold comes up with for this one.

I guess it's the age old problem - how do you sell people on dealing with short-term negatives to reap the benefits of long-term positives?

Damned if I know. I'm no politician. But I'm hoping this is the start of some serious alternative energy planning here in California. Then maybe we won't need all those oil pipelines across my favorite hiking trails.

For the most part, people don’t and can’t be made to care about the long term. We live in a society which demands ‘instant’. Plus, the generation that is about to be in power feels even more so that things should be easier. The people in charge are of the generation that was promised flying cars, instant ‘add water’ meals, the three day work week, and robot chauffeurs. With the lack of these outlandish niceties, we are making up for it with rash decision making which will allow for faster results.
The only upside, if there is one, is that some people still look at the big picture. Those are the people who buy the hybrid/smaller cars, who turn the lights off when they aren’t in a room, who turn the faucet down when brushing their teeth… these are people who eat their veggies and never forget to floss. But these people are in the minority.
What can we do? Very little. It is sad but true. In the end, it is not you or I who will decide whether or not power lines go up or not. Sure, we can (and will) vote on the issues, but as mentioned before the future thinkers are the minority in a society where majority rules.
So, plant a tree and hold on tight.