Republicans Take an Important Step Back into the Environmental Debate

Conservation and conservatism: The two are rightfully inseparable. Yet it is fair to say that the Republican brand has for many years been divorced from environmental causes in the public imagination. Widely associated with climate-change skepticism, unquestioning support of the fossil-fuel industry, and the blind harvesting of resources, the GOP’s record on conservation is a bit rocky. But as voters become increasingly worried about the environment, Republicans on the Hill have finally realized that there is no time like the present to show some concern for the fate of the natural world. Last Wednesday, a group of Republican senators and congressmen gathered to announce the formation of the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus (RCC), to be co-chaired by Senators Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), Cory Gardner (R., Colo.), and Steve Daines (R., Mont.). According to a press release announcing the news, the RCC will “embrace and promote constructive efforts to address environmental problems, responsibly plan for all market factors, and base policy decisions on science and quantifiable facts.” The caucus is named, of course, for President Teddy Roosevelt, who was known for his love of the outdoors and championing of environmental causes. The members of the RCC are looking to reclaim that legacy and point American conservatism back toward conservation efforts...MORE

A 'step back' is exactly what this is.

Teddy Roosevelt?? The man who spent midnight hours withdrawing land from the public domain before the Congressional deadline to revoke his authority? The man who was a centralizer when we really should be devolving these issues to the states? The man who deserted the Republican Party to run as a 'progressive'?

The author mentions Nixon and his creation of the EPA. He also brought us the Endangered Species Act and NEPA. Do we need more of any of these?

While no concrete policy proposals have yet emerged from the RCC, the press conference suggested that plans for a carbon tax, climate-resilient infrastructure, and increased funding of clean-energy research are likely to be among the initial proposals

Just what this country needs - higher taxes and more federal spending.