Cash for Clunkers

When I heard about Obama's Cash for Clunkers plan, something struck me as not quite right. In order to get the cash incentive, I noted, car buyers had to let their older vehicles be destroyed. That didn't seem particularly "green" to me, and, as it turned out, I wasn't the only one who questioned the plan's environmental benefits.In this article, Fox News quotes Gwen Ottinger of the Chemical Heritage Foundation's Center for Contemporary History and Policy as saying the following:

It takes energy to shred and recycle metals; plastic components often cannot be recycled and end up as landfill cover; and the engine fluids, refrigerants and other chemicals essential to operating products end up as hazardous wastes.

The plan, then, may not be as green as some would like to think. Does that matter?

Comments

[FascistSocialist]

"Turns out, some crazy people agree with me!"

[Miranda]

Do you have any evidence to back up that accusation?

[KB]

David Harsanyi, at RealClearPolitics, has this: "Here's an idea: Let's give $50,000 to anyone looking to upgrade to a brand-spanking-new, environmentally friendly home. All we ask in return is that you burn your previous residence into a heap of smoldering cinder."

[Miranda]

I love it!

[FascistSocialist]

http://www.hulu.com/watch/87010/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-mon-aug-3-2009