Energy Dept. Said to Err on Coal Project
“This is math illiteracy on a grand scale and with global consequences.”
Folks, when the rocket scientists at NASA can launch into space a huge telescope with a near-sighted lens, and can slam a probe into Mars because they mixed up meters and feet, and now the watchers of a coal project can make a half a billion dollar math error, we ought to call into question the idea that if only we had more regulators--more oversight--more something--we could finally fix our problems.
We can't. Regulations and regulators are fine. They serve an important purpose.
But to rely on them to fix every problem--before they become problems--just doesn't work. Regulators--unlike those inside the industries they regulate--have no direct interest in seeing things actually work. They can make that half billion dollar mistake and keep their jobs. Maybe they won't get that next promotion to GS-XX, but they'll still be employed.
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