Well, this is certainly a strange headline: “U.S. energy chief floats idea of a carbon tax: NYT.” Wha? Did I miss this at his confirmation hearing or was it, as I fear, neither asked nor in any answer? Must just be an epiphany, one that the Times reporter happened to luck upon.

Now to follow, the Secretary of the Treasury will surely propose new appliance standards (causing that market to tank after hearing only broad strokes but no real specifics), in this new world of Cabinet officers at-large and confirmation-free “czars” lording over Senate-confirmed (and apparently roving) officials. It reminds one of the line attributed to none other than the Goracle himself describing a recent Democratic administration: ten-year-olds playing soccer–when someone rolls a ball onto the field (any particular topical issue), everyone chases it, regardless of their position.

Alternately, maybe the energy secretary could set about approving just one application under its Loan Guarantee Program, with $38.5 billion having already been tossed at his new home to subsidize certain oinkers under the 2005 anti-energy bill but (the Washington Times has the heartening news today) with DoE yet to guarantee a single loan after a solid three years. Naturally, Congress just heaved an additional $90 billion in loan guarantees thrown at the program on top of that in the shtimulus. Why? Had there been a run on the first $40ish billion?

Ah, “targeted” taxpayers’ money working its wonders under the gentle ministrations of bureaucrats. Just sit back and watch those jobs flow. And by all means, add a new carbon tax. Washington needs you(r money)!