Well, the president has returned from his family golfing vacation in Hawaii and aides say his focus is on extending unemployment benefits, immigration reform and an increase in the minimum wage.

That seems like an ambitious agenda for a national leader who has had more than his share of problems as of late. Remember Obamacare, Benghazi, NSA spying and IRS snooping?

But with that as a backdrop, who can fault him for desperately wanting to change the national dialogue?

But while the president was playing with his putter, a list of 141 new federal regulations went into effect Jan. 1, most of those courtesy of our friends at the Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA unveiled dozens upon dozens of new regulations that will eventually be costly for consumers in ways that are currently hard to imagine. In other words, if, by chance, you have an energy bill for electricity, get ready for a giant surprise.

But the regulation with perhaps the greatest impact comes later this year when the cap on carbon emissions goes into effect.

The carbon cap will effectively end construction of any new coal-fired electric generation plant in this country.

Before I forget, let me note that China recently announced the construction of a new coal-fired plant planned for every week of this year.

Now exactly what is wrong with that picture?

Even Democratic Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin criticized the new caps saying it would mean a substantial loss of jobs and soaring -- his word, not mine -- utility rates.

But there's more good news on the environmental front. The EPA has already announced plans for yet another 134 regulations that are in the works for this coming year.

Sikeston is home to a 335-megawatt coal-fired plant that has consistently exceeded compliance levels for emissions with the EPA and DNR. Substantial expense was provided to that plant to assure compliance.

And having worked with that utility for a number of years, let me assure you these costly steps were not taken out of fear of compliance. They were taken because it's the right thing to do for the environment and for the customers they serve.

One energy expert last week predicted that full compliance with this laundry list of new regulations could ultimately cost consumers as much as 35 percent higher utility rates.

Do the math yourself. But then also consider the financial impact on large consumers like Procter & Gamble and Noranda Aluminum. And believe me, these large users have no choice other than to pass that massive bill along to consumers.

Period -- as the president is prone to saying.

There is a balance between affordable utility rates and diminished harm to the environment. Unfortunately, this administration has yet to find, much less strike, that balance.

In a somewhat related note, one unnamed former White House official said last week that the president is very good at campaigning but not so good at governing.

I think he may know something we all should recognize by now.

Michael Jensen is the publisher of the Sikeston Standard Democrat.