The Wall Street Journal on the disaster called California:
Any relief Californians feel will be short-lived. The state's cap-and-trade program, which charges businesses for emitting carbon, will take effect this November. Oil companies warn they'll pass on the costs to consumers. Meanwhile, a low-carbon fuel standard kicks into high gear in 2015. That's when regulators expect the new generation of biofuels like cellulosic ethanol to be plentiful, though such fuels aren't now commercially viable.
There's more:
A Boston Consulting Group study warns that the limited availability of biofuels that could shimmy under the carbon limbo stick could force five to seven more refineries to close. Midwest corn ethanol wouldn't qualify. If all of California's 2006 global warming law were implemented, the study estimates the cost of gas would increase by up to $2.70 per gallon. By the way, Californians are already paying up to 50% more for their electricity than the rest of the country thanks to their renewable-energy portfolio standard.
What's could be worse than this?
In related news, Environmental Protection Agency chief Lisa Jackson says California is her model for the nation.
The war on the middle class.
