Critics of the EPA’s proposed rules to curb carbon emissions are quick to cite opposition by some key unions.
While pushback by Mine Workers, IBEW, Boilermakers and others will be used by coal industry advocates to fight Obama’s climate change agenda, union influence on the policy won’t amount to much.
The administration will have its hands full with republicans and coal-state democrats but this hugely important environmental battle will not hinge on organized labor.
Let’s hope the president wins this one without giving up too much.
One consequence of the political fight, I suspect, will be to bring out Obama’s tendency to balance the scale.
Don’t be surprised, therefore, during the EPA’s carbon emission brawl, if the administration releases its decision to greenlight the keystone pipeline, assuring environmentalists that its impact on climate change is marginal.
Building Trades unions have already thrown their weight behind this large construction project, giving Obama cover to position it as a high wage job creator which fosters “energy independence.”