http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/04/23/20100423arizona-immigration-law-passed.html#ab=-&dh=www.azcentral.com&dr=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drudgereport.com%2F&du=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azcentral.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2010%2F04%2F23%2F20100423arizona-immigration-law-passed.html&dt=Arizona%20governor%20signs%20immigration%20law;%20foes%20promise%20fight&inst=2&lng=en-us&pc=men&pub=azcentral&ssl=0&sid=4bd2883caeb1e327&srf=0.02&srp=0.2&srx=0&ver=152&xck=0&rev=75818&xd=1
Although it is not strictly an environmental issue, illegal immigration is a sustainability issue. Wheeler (pg. 83) discusses immigration as a "hot-button topic" that must be addressed in relation to population pressures which in turn affect economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The state of Arizona, as well as the other states that share a border with Mexico, face increasing pressures related to illegal immigration. Arizona has now taken action to stem the tide of illegal immigrants crossing the border and the resulting social, environmental, and economic problems accompanying the issue.
Opponents of this legislation view it as a means of discrimination. However, it is a vital part of reducing the damage caused by illegal immigrants. Vast areas of the border region suffer significant environmental impacts from the constant stream of illegal immigrants who leave mountains of trash and damage desert ecosystems. Drug running and human trafficking increase crime and violence not only along the border, but increasingly throughout the border states. Illegal immigrants with little education or job skills have low incomes and, consequently, do not pay significant amounts of taxes, if any. In fact, recent calculations by the IRS show that a family of four with an income of $55,000 would receive a refund of all of the federal income taxes they paid plus about $38 through various programs such as the Earned Income Credit and standard deductions. In addition, children born in the US to illegal immigrants qualify for services and direct support at taxpayer expense. Because immigrants tend to have more children, this increases the pressure on schools and services for low income residents.
Traditionally, immigration has been a federal issue. However, federal enforcement has fallen short leaving states to pay the social and economic costs of large numbers of poorly educated, non-English speaking illegal immigrants. These costs include education, medical care, social services, crime, and poverty. This legislation empowers local law enforcement agencies to ask for documentation of suspects' immigration status and make arrests of those who are here illegally. It also sets penalties including jail time and fines. Although this is a state law, it addresses the illegal immigration problem at a county and municipal level as well.
Because of the failures of the federal government to fully address the illegal immigration issue and all of its related problems, state governments are finding it necessary to act on behalf of their residents. Ideally, the federal government would take strong enough actions to close the border to illegal immigration and assist states with the impacts of illegal immigrants currently in the country.
The problems associated with enforcement of illegal immigration laws at the federal level include lack of political will and the sheer logistics of monitoring the US-Mexico border. In addition, pressure from the Mexican government can influence the federal government's attitude toward border enforcement. It is in the best interest of Mexico for the US to allow free movement of Mexican citizens across the border. When Mexican citizens travel to the US to work, they tend to send much of their income back to Mexico. They also reduce pressure on Mexico's economic resources when they receive medical care and education at US taxpayer expense.
Much of the economic and social pressures associated with illegal immigration is borne by state and local government. This creates a greater incentive for these levels of government to develop policies that reduce illegal immigration. I believe that a coordinated effort at the federal, state, and local level is essential to solving the illegal immigration problem. The federal government must stop illegal immigration at the border and work with Mexico to alleviate the circumstances that foster illegal immigration. State and local governments must develop policies that make immigrating illegally unpalatable for immigrants. In addition, all levels of government need to work together to develop immigration and guest worker programs that create opportunities for immigrants and temporary workers with needed skills to enter the US legally.
25 April 2010
10 April 2010
H.R. 3598 Energy and Water Research Integration Act
The Energy and Water Research Integration Act addresses the interrelatedness of water resources and energy resources. Increasing energy demands fueled by the American lifestyle place new demands on already strained water resources. This bill seeks to minimize freshwater use, increase water use efficiency, and promote use of non-traditional water sources in energy research, development, and demonstration programs conducted by the Department of Energy. It also requires consideration of the effects of climate change on water resources available for energy production. Finally, it requires examination of the relationship between the energy needed to obtain water and the water needed to produce energy.
The problems identified and solutions proposed in this bill have few conflicts with Cohen’s “Values” Framework. Energy and water supplies are essential components of our economic and personal well-being in the U.S. The problem presents ecological as well as human well-being trade-offs. If water resources are not used wisely, both the environment and humans suffer the consequences. If energy production is limited by lack of water resources, human well-being suffers. Both human and environmental issues must be confronted when addressing the problem and solutions presented in this bill.
Both water and energy are national priorities; therefore, this policy issue would have an important place on the policy agenda. The federal government, specifically the Secretary of Energy, has the primary responsibility for carrying out the mandates of this bill. However, numerous stakeholders will be involved in the implementation of the strategic plan. Other federal and state agencies, research and academic institutions, and industries that deal with water or energy are all included either through participation in the Energy-Water Architecture Council or through annual regional technical workshops.
Other political issues that cluster with the water-energy relationships addressed in this bill include coal mining, oil and gas production, alternative fuels, hydropower and water storage, and climate change. The entities that produce energy or fuels or related technologies will be affected by the increased scrutiny of their efficiency and impacts on water resources. The less efficient methods of energy or fuel production will eventually lose to the more efficient, less water-intensive ones.
The causes and effects of the problems associated with the energy-water nexus are well known. Some methods of energy or fuel production use vast quantities of fresh water and many contaminate the water used. Extracting groundwater or moving surface water from source to point of use requires large amounts of energy. The greatest uncertainty is the amount of water required for various energy and fuel production technologies. The Strategic Plan calls for identification of the most water and energy intensive projects and those projects with the most potential for conservation. Clearly, the intent of this legislation is improvement of existing technologies and development of new technologies.
The policy design of this program will encourage research and development of more efficient technologies through cooperation among federal and state agencies and non-governmental entities. It will facilitate data collection and analysis, and sharing of this information through workshops and publications. In addition, it will establish national best management practices as recommended guidelines for energy and water technology. This is not a regulatory program, however, the data collected and best management practices formulated could be used to develop regulatory frameworks. Because the primary purpose of this program is to promote technological advances to address pressing issues, the outcome is likely to be dramatic improvements in energy and water efficiency on a national scale.
We have recognized water and energy issues for decades. The Department of Energy received $5,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2011 through 2015 to carry out this program. It relies on cooperation with other federal and state agencies, research institutions, universities, and industry already involved in energy and water issues. The objective is to improve existing technologies and develop new ones to increase efficiencies in water and energy use and production.
The problems identified and solutions proposed in this bill have few conflicts with Cohen’s “Values” Framework. Energy and water supplies are essential components of our economic and personal well-being in the U.S. The problem presents ecological as well as human well-being trade-offs. If water resources are not used wisely, both the environment and humans suffer the consequences. If energy production is limited by lack of water resources, human well-being suffers. Both human and environmental issues must be confronted when addressing the problem and solutions presented in this bill.
Both water and energy are national priorities; therefore, this policy issue would have an important place on the policy agenda. The federal government, specifically the Secretary of Energy, has the primary responsibility for carrying out the mandates of this bill. However, numerous stakeholders will be involved in the implementation of the strategic plan. Other federal and state agencies, research and academic institutions, and industries that deal with water or energy are all included either through participation in the Energy-Water Architecture Council or through annual regional technical workshops.
Other political issues that cluster with the water-energy relationships addressed in this bill include coal mining, oil and gas production, alternative fuels, hydropower and water storage, and climate change. The entities that produce energy or fuels or related technologies will be affected by the increased scrutiny of their efficiency and impacts on water resources. The less efficient methods of energy or fuel production will eventually lose to the more efficient, less water-intensive ones.
The causes and effects of the problems associated with the energy-water nexus are well known. Some methods of energy or fuel production use vast quantities of fresh water and many contaminate the water used. Extracting groundwater or moving surface water from source to point of use requires large amounts of energy. The greatest uncertainty is the amount of water required for various energy and fuel production technologies. The Strategic Plan calls for identification of the most water and energy intensive projects and those projects with the most potential for conservation. Clearly, the intent of this legislation is improvement of existing technologies and development of new technologies.
The policy design of this program will encourage research and development of more efficient technologies through cooperation among federal and state agencies and non-governmental entities. It will facilitate data collection and analysis, and sharing of this information through workshops and publications. In addition, it will establish national best management practices as recommended guidelines for energy and water technology. This is not a regulatory program, however, the data collected and best management practices formulated could be used to develop regulatory frameworks. Because the primary purpose of this program is to promote technological advances to address pressing issues, the outcome is likely to be dramatic improvements in energy and water efficiency on a national scale.
We have recognized water and energy issues for decades. The Department of Energy received $5,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2011 through 2015 to carry out this program. It relies on cooperation with other federal and state agencies, research institutions, universities, and industry already involved in energy and water issues. The objective is to improve existing technologies and develop new ones to increase efficiencies in water and energy use and production.
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