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Anti-idling laws are just the tip of the iceberg of the laws and so-called "solutions" avalanching their way into place as a way to save energy and improve pollution problems. While the goals are admirable, most of these solutions are like putting a band-aid on a cut artery and do not do much to solve the underlying causes.

A recent California proposal would make it mandatory for new construction projects, both commercial and private, to install thermostats with two-way communication capabilities. That way the energy board could monitor a building's climate and adjust the thermostat at will to conserve energy during peak energy use. Many Californians fear that it will just be a matter of time before all buildings, public and private, old or new, will be made to have these thermostats.

It is not only humans on California's radar. From National Geographic News:

"...government regulators issued a report identifying dairy cows as the main source of smog-forming pollutants in the San Joaquin Valley, California. The announcement highlights growing concern over the global impact of greenhouse gases produced by cattle and other livestock. A dairy cow annually emits almost 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of smog-forming gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-more than a car or light truck, according to the San Joaquin Valley United Air Pollution Control District."

Washington and Oregon now have required new home builders or people who want to add wood-burning furnaces to have catalytic converters installed to reduce wood smoke pollution. Both states also have outside burning laws concerning burning brush and trash.

Legal activities by citizens are being further restricted as seen in many states instituting smoking bans, citing air pollution and health risks. Some cities have even restricted this activity so severely, that some people may not smoke in their own backyards, and some not even in their homes if they are living in multi-unit housing. Missouri recently passed a law prohibiting smoking in any public building. The St. Louis area has restricted smoking within 30 feet of a public building.

While private citizens are prohibited from filling the air with smoke, many industries are allowed to buy permits that allow them to pollute the air and water. In Wisconsin, where dumping some substances into waterways is prohibited, new pollutants are exempt until "scientific studies" are done on the effects of those chemicals-which may take years to complete. Old, outdated power plants are given a bypass to current air pollution regulations.

Millions of gallons of chemical fertilizers and weed killers are sprayed on croplands and then the run off is absorbed into the ground water and enters the air. Then there are the mega-farms, owned by huge corporations, some from foreign countries, where thousands of pigs, chickens, and cattle are penned in small places. Though most of these farms have so-called secure lagoons to contain the animal waste, lagoon failure occurs often with the resultant run off again getting into the ground water and affecting the air quality of surrounding homes.

Furthermore, our military and merchant marine are exempt from following some guidelines. Mothballed naval merchant ships contribute tons of pollutants to the waters they sit in as they deteriorate. Flaking paint, oxidization from oil and fuel residue, and corroding metals settle to the sediment underwater making the fish in those waters toxic to eat. This deterioration also affects air quality in and near the port areas.

Where will it all stop? Little by little, a private citizen's right to live even somewhat as they wish to is being eroded by more and more regulations and restrictions while big business and mega-corporations, who are capable of doing far more damage than your average smoker or truck driver, are given loopholes to avoid even the most minor antipollution regulations.

As truck drivers, we deliver everything and things that affect how the consumer spends their money affects us. Antipollution laws hit us thrice: in the damage to the markets, in how we are allowed to do our job, and more importantly, how we are allowed to live our lives. Pollution is something we all need to worry about to some degree, but we should look more closely at the reasoning behind some of these laws being passed "for the environment and the public good." As H.L. Mencken said: "The desire to save humanity is always a false front for the urge to rule it."

Ya'll be safe out there!