Traditionally, the post-election, pre-inauguration period is one of political favors and gifts, where lame duck politicians reward their supporters and constituents for their support, all but free from political accountability. Given the friendliness the outgoing Bush administration has historically shown to environmentally destructive industries, it should come as no surprise that the past month has seen several decisions frowned upon in the environmental community. But with the political pendulum swinging toward lasting sustainability in this country, these gifts may prove anything but welcome over the next few years.

After four years of pressuring government scientists and handing down seemingly arbitrary decisions through EPA Administrator Steven Johnson, the administration fired a few environmental parting shots earlier this month. First, the administration bowdlerized stricter USDA regulations on the use of the term "organic", allowing industrialized CAFOs to continue to produce milk under the organic label. Then the USDA further relaxed controls on biotech farming, despite the contamination of the food supply with unapproved, genetically engineered crops just the week before.

Finally, through a re-interperetation of the Endangered Species Act, the administration limited the depth of scientific environmental impacts study that must be carried out to begin new development projects. While proponents of the new regulatory approach called it closing a "backdoor for climate policy change", critics of the move decry its obvious benefits for oil companies as yet another last-second push by the Administration to pass unpopular measures without political repercussion.

However, while these lame duck approvals will be harder to reverse now that they are official government policy, the ebb and flow of political will in America prevents them from being written in anything resembling stone. In fact, many of the measure have already been targeted for repeal by incoming Obama staff. Indeed, with a nearly filibuster-proof majority across the legislative branch, it seems very likely the Democratic Party, traditionally more friendly to the environment than its Republican counterpart, will have very little trouble enforcing legislation increasing the nations stability.

This means that if firms do attempt to take advantage of the outgoing administration's 11th hour changes, any new infrastructure developments they make may be subject almost immediately to stiffer regulation. With carbon emissions taxes looming on the horizon, new projects may end up costing industry far more than they would have had existing regulations been maintained. So at best, these parting shots are a nod to the industries that supported Bush throughout his political career, and at worst, a risky window that may end up hurting the environment, and the nation's economic recovery.