We're The Government, So We're Spppecial :-P

Today's AwfuLaw gives special privileges for the installation of solar power, and only in a vary narrow circumstance.

H.R. 964: To amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to exempt any solar energy project on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management from an environmental impact statement requirement.
Sponsor: Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] (introduced 2/10/2009) Cosponsors (13)
Committees: House Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

I like that Rohrabacher has been the co-sponsor of a bill in past Congresses to yank funding for federal prosecution of medical marijuana cases in states that have made such use legal, but what is up with this bill? EIR's or Environmental Impact Reports (or statements) are meant to make sure one isn't adversely affecting the environment. We can assume most BLM-land projects are going to be government projects (although there are private users on public BLM land.) The government is the worst polluter of all* as anyone who lives on or near a former military base can tell you. Presumably BLM land consists of our precious wilderness so if the country's worst polluter were going to build a project on that land, one would think they would be held to a higher standard; not lower.

Further, if the goal here is to encourage solar projects, why not exempt all solar projects from EIR's?

* source: http://www.adti.net/environment/congressRecord_pryan102800.html