When it comes to the claims by George W. Bush that he is finally ready to do something about global warming, it’s important to watch his deeds to see how much they match the hype. After seven years of denial and inaction, all that Bush has actually done is announce plans to work toward defining a goal for dealing with global warming at the beginning of 2009, just before he leaves the White House.

In the meantime, there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of opportunities for the federal government to actually do something to reduce carbon emissions, and thus slow down global warming. For example, this summer, the EPA proposed overhauling the New Source Performance Standards for oil refineries. That overhaul could have been designed to help the companies that operate refineries to cut carbon dioxide emissions and other forms of pollution, but no such changes were proposed.

In fact, the proposed changes to the New Source Performance Standards for oil refineries actually make it easier for refineries to release massive amounts of pollution without detection. Current requirements for constant monitoring of some sources of pollution would be eliminated, there would be inadequate monitoring of dangerous pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, and there would be no limitations at all on the carbon dioxide coming from refineries.

The proposed dirty New Source Performance Standards are just one example of how the Republicans in the White House are working to speed up global warming even as they promise to come clean and work toward slowing it down.

(Source: Environmental Integrity Project, August 28, 2007)