What Killed Trump's Cockamamie Coal Plan
Rick Perry's idea to prop up dirty and unsafe energy sources was reviled by just about everyone -- even the president's appointees.President Donald Trump promised to bring back coal. In a ham-handed attempt to make his boss happy, Energy Secretary Rick Perry in September proposed forcing electrical utilities to heavily subsidize coal and nuclear plants in the name of ensuring a "reliable, resilient energy grid."
Thanks to a quirk of legislative history, though, the Department of Energy can't just issue such a regulation on its own. When Congress established the department in 1977 in the wake of the first oil crisis, it ensured that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the successor to the Federal Power Commission it had created in 1920 and laden with new responsibilities several times since, would continue to set rules for electricity generation, among other things.
This is how it came to pass that on Monday, the five members of the FERC -- four of them appointed by Trump! -- effectively told Perry to take his Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and shove it. The commission said it will "remain vigilant with respect to resilience challenges," but that Perry's approach wasn't compatible with the competitive electricity markets that have evolved under FERC guidance over the past two decades.
This leads to a couple of thoughts:
1. We have a weird system of government!
2. That weird system seems to have saved us from a really dumb idea.
Much more: https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-01-09/what-killed-trump-s-cockamamie-coal-plan
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How you be?!
Did the frigid temps subside?
I haven't forgotten New England winters. Brrr!
And snow! I couldn't deal with that at this stage of my game. [I know you are spotting me in the age dept.!😄]
But, where was one supposed to be safe from this too cold and dangerous weather. We're not far enuff south.
Your post. Re: our gov't. Who knew regulations were in place to prevent another fiasco concocted by the sheer dirty dealings of schlumpy et al.
Stay safe, warm, and be well.
And I'm still under the weather, actually just woke up. It's supposed to warm up (a little) tomorrow and I'm hoping to finally make it out - it's been awhile. 
As for the government these days - you really need a scorecard. Nobody seems to know what they're doing and that's not exactly reassuring. 
It's nervewracking to watch a leader making such dire decisions that you know are completely wrong!
I make it a point to watch the late night comedians because they not only call these things out - but do it with humor which we desperately need right now! 
Thanks so much - and hang in there!
to keep 'them' from wrecking me!
Gotta pace myself for what's coming down the pike. Mostly Get-Out-The-Vote.
Hopefully nothing drastic. This seasoned chick still has fire in her. Preferably to be used in a more charitable and kindly manner.
💛
Not only did I meet like-minded people, but I felt like I was making a difference. But it is getting harder. The last time I made GOTV calls I noticed not too many would pick up the phone - including my own mother! And those we were calling were likely Democratic voters. I blame the widespread use of caller ID. *sigh*
Going door-to-door was much tougher, I don't think I'd do it on my own again. But I did meet some very nice people - especially at a senior citizens complex - they asked so we offered them rides to the polls. 
And they still need envelopes stuffed which is the least stressful of all! And you're right, kindness always pays off. 
And don't hesitate to ask for advice on DU - if you need it! 