One lawmaker criticizes a new global warming report as heavy on hype and light on the details.
State Representative Jim Ott (R-Mequon) says the governor's Global Warming Task Force does nothing to change the climate; the report recommends extensive changes in our lifestyle; but the issue of cost to Wisconsinites and our economy is not raised.
"A major problem I have with the report is that there's absolutely no mention of how much these recommendations are going to cost the average consumer. And I'm talking about across the board increases in the cost of electricity, fuel, what it cost to heat your home and ultimately even the price of groceries. The report's absolutely silent on that."
The Mequon ( pronounce ) Republican says the taskforce also "recommends" higher on-street parking fees, a reduction in the speed limit, an ethanol mandate, a reduction in the number of miles motorists drive, higher automobile emission standards, and it would impose a tax to fund mass transit.
"The taskforce talks about voluntary reductions and recommendations but actually they mention the word 'legislate' or 'legislation' 22 times … and that doesn't count how many times they use words like regulate, require and mandate."
Ott ( pronounce ) also takes issue with the assumption of the task force that global warming is happening and that it's caused largely by human activity.
"There's absolutely no discussion of the fact that there are natural influences on climate change and it's possible that some natural influences are happening right now and the taskforce overlooks that."
The taskforce does not encourage new nuclear plant construction. Ott sees the recommendations as having incredible costs, but no tangible benefit. The freshman assemblyman spent thirty years as a broadcast meteorologist and is a member of the American Meteorologist Society.
The Governor's Global Warming Task Force released its final report Thursday. The 29-members include leaders in the areas of environment, agriculture, industry, citizen, tribes and utility. The report heads to Governor Doyle for consideration.