Last week, while the rest of us were watching the Republican National Convention, the White House issued a press release describing an executive order signed by the President concerning his vision of green energy.

“Today, we are taking another step to strengthen American manufacturing by boosting energy efficiency for businesses across the nation,” saidPresident Obama. “This action will cut costs, increase efficiency, and help our businesses create strong, middle class jobs. We’ll continue to do everything we can to put more people back to work and build an economy that lasts.”

Sounds great –  but I have a problem with it.  First –  The President does not have the power to legislate.  Under our system of government, that authority is only vested in the Congress.  But ever since this President hasn't been able to get the votes in Congress for one of his environmental programs –  such as Cap and Trade legislation –  he has just written an executive order to his executive agencies establishing a regulatory structure to enforce programs and restrictions that have not been passed by Congress. The rule making authority of the executive agencies exists in limited form for the purpose of interpreting the acts of Congress –  not to subvert the will of Congress with independent regulations.

This is a pattern of Ultra Vires behavior that is already established and, it is my hope, legal actions should already be underway against the agencies and against the President.  As I read this press release, the Executive order mandates billions of dollars in capital expenditures on new equipment by private companies.  it is, again in my view, illegal coercion by an out of control executive branch.  The press release describes savings to energy users if more efficient means of production are enforced.  My question is who does the President think will pay for the new capital equipment ? hint: the rate payers who buy their electricity from the utilities. 

This is a President who no longer has the support of Congress for his energy  programs which have cost the tax payers billions of dollars without any positive result (unless you are a political supporter of the President who lines up outside the White House for blatant political payoffs)

It is my hope that the rule of law can be restored in this country despite the abuses of both political parties.  An initial step, in my opinion, would be the firing of this President by We The People in the November National elections. 

The press release is included below.  My source is:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/08/30/president-obama-signs-executive-order-promoting-industrial-energy-effici

Additional commentary is available From Mark Levin, attorney and conservative talk show host.  <link here>

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 30, 2012

 

President Obama Signs Executive Order Promoting Industrial Energy Efficiency

 

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama signed an Executive Order to facilitate investments in industrial energy efficiency that will strengthen American manufacturing and help create jobs.  These efforts to boost industrial energy efficiency, including combined heat and power systems, can save manufacturers as much as $100 billion in energy costs over the next decade, improving their bottom lines and strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.  These types of efficiency measures will reduce energy consumption and reduce harmful emissions.

 

“Today, we are taking another step to strengthen American manufacturing by boosting energy efficiency for businesses across the nation,” said President Obama. “This action will cut costs, increase efficiency, and help our businesses create strong, middle class jobs.  We’ll continue to do everything we can to put more people back to work and build an economy that lasts.”

 

While manufacturing facilities have become more energy efficient over time, there is an opportunity to accelerate and expand this trend with investments that reduce energy use through more efficient manufacturing technologies and processes, such as the expanded use of efficient, on-site heat and power generation, known as combined heat and power (CHP).  This Executive Order builds on important steps the Administration has taken to scale up private sector investments in energy efficiency in our homes, buildings, and factories with efforts like the Better Buildings Initiative and investments upgrading homes around the United States.

 

In addition, it directs the Departments of Energy, Commerce, and Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency, to coordinate actions at the Federal level while providing policy and technical assistance to states to promote investments in industrial energy efficiency.  The Executive Order also directs agencies to foster a national dialogue through ongoing regional workshops to encourage the adoption of best practice policies and investment models that overcome barriers to investment, provide public information on the benefits of unlocking investment in industrial energy efficiency, and use existing Federal authorities that can support these investments.  

 

Today’s Order also establishes a new national goal of 40 gigawatts of new combined heat and power capacity by 2020, a 50% increase from today. Meeting this goal would save energy users $10 billion per year, result in $40 to $80 billion in new capital investment in manufacturing and other facilities that would create American jobs, and would reduce emissions equivalent to 25 million cars.