Letters to the Editor

Letter: This is overreach, too

We heard indignant shouts of “Federal overreach!” from our Senate delegation when the Obama administration set federal limits on the free venting and flaring of methane gas that concerned Alaska’s drill sites. But now, not a peep when President Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency prohibits California from setting higher auto mileage standards for manufacturers that wish to sell cars there. Hypocrisy much?

We can all agree it is sad that it took California to lead us to high-mileage standards that we all consider the norm now. No doubt it led us to much, much cleaner air. California did it because no one else would, and because they were choking on their own tailpipes. That seemed a reasonable time to act. Thirteen states now agree.

But not so fast, the big hand of GOP big government dictating to the states has spoken! There shall be no cleaner air until Trump says so! Step up, senators, then speak up. You work for Alaska, remember? My party used to stand for strong states’ rights and decentralized government. It’s become increasingly hard to understand what it stands for now.

— Bob Lacher

Palmer

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