LAWMAKER QUESTIONS GLOBAL WARMING JOB DESCRIPTION
Monday, September 15th, 2008 -- 12:26 PM
One state lawmaker fears a so-called Global Warming Coordinator will be just another bureaucrat.The state DNR recently posted the full-time position, but Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon), finds it interesting the Coordinator won?t need any degree in meteorology or climatology.
"I don't see how someone who doesn't have a science background could have an extensive enough background in the issues surrounding climate change that they could make reasonable judgments on these so-called recommendations that the Task Force is making," Ott says.
Ott is a meteorologist who has taught college courses on climatology.
He fears the Global Warming Task Force will become another heavy-handed bureaucracy.
"It looks like they're largely looking for a bureaucrat," Ott says of the coordinator's job description, "They're real heavy on the statute writing, the rule-making abilities, the networking skills and so on."
"I'm wondering how someone with a sciene background can assess the benefits of something that's supposed to affect the climate," he says.
Ott says the task force recently put forth a report urging the legislature to pass laws aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The recommendations carried through on the state-level, Ott says, wouldn?t impact global warming at all.
"If, indeed, it is a problem, it should be addressed nationally and internationally," Ott reasons, noting China not emits more greenhouse gases than the U.S.
"If you're going to do something, is it going to have any impact one way or another?"
Ott says a move to nuclear power in Wisconsin would have a big impact on CO2 emissions and help reduce mercury emissions.
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