Energy

The cap and trade plan recently passed by House Democrats is likely to be the largest tax increase in American history. H.R. 2454, written by Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-CA), is a massive new tax that will raise energy prices on every American, costing thousands of Texans their jobs, all for a questionable environmental impact.

Recent analysis by The Heritage Foundation shows that the Waxman-Markey “cap and tax bill” will cost American families more than $3,000 per year in the form of higher energy prices. Seniors and low-income families who spend a large portion of their budgets on energy bills will bear the brunt of the new tax. The cost to Texas alone could reach $20 billion in added electricity costs, which is an average yearly increase of more than $600 per household in utility bills, according to a study commissioned by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. While our economy is straining to recover from a severe recession, the worst thing we can do is raise taxes on American consumers and businesses.

The bill will raise prices and stifle domestic energy production while barely lowering global temperatures. Supporters of the bill claim it is intended to address climate change, but the Obama Administration’s own Environmental Protection Agency analysis shows that if the U.S. implemented a 60 percent reduction in CO2 emission, the global temperature would only be reduced by 0.1- 0.2 degrees Celsius by 2095.

I believe there is a better way to conserve energy while conserving our tax dollars, which is why I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 2828, the American Energy Innovation Act. This fiscally responsible approach encourages innovation by investing in renewable energy technology, promotes conservation by providing incentives for reducing energy demand, and increases production of American energy by utilizing available resources and streamlining burdensome regulations. These steps will make America energy self-sufficient and improve our environment in the process.

I have supported the following legislation in the 111th Congress:

• H.R. 2828, the American Energy and Innovation Act. This comprehensive bill encourages innovation within the energy market to create the renewable fuel options and energy careers; promotes greater conservation and efficiency by providing incentives for easing energy demand and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment; and increases the production of American energy by responsibly utilizing all available resources and technologies and streamlining burdensome regulations.

• H.R. 2846, the American Energy Act. This comprehensive bill encourages new and expanding energy technologies by making permanent tax credits for the production of renewable electricity; increases the supply of American energy by allowing production from on- and off-shore areas; provides tax incentives for businesses and homeowners who improve their energy efficiency; and speeds up production by refining the permitting process and expediting judicial review.

Responses to “Energy”

  1. MaryJane says:

    Recently, Christopher Monckton presenation informed a Minnesota Free Market Institute audience at Bethel University in St. Paul that the real purpose of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on Dec. 7-18 is to use global warming hype as a pretext to lay the foundation for a one-world government. Mr. Monckton, was the science advisor to Margret Thatcher, What will be your position on global warming?

    The treaty clearly states that a world government is going to be created. The word ‘government’ actually appears as the first of three purposes of the new entity. The second purpose is the transfer of wealth from the countries of the West to Third World countries, to satisfied a ‘climate debt’ – because we’ve been burning CO2 and they haven’t. And the third purpose of this new entity, this government is enforcement.”

    It is apparent that the communists who piled out of the Berlin Wall are alive and well in the environmental movement and have taken over Greenpeace and those the original people who funded it left within a year. They are about to successfully impose a communist world government on the world because we have a president who has strong sympathies with this point of view, and he will no doubt want to sign anything. Heck, he is a Nobel Peace Prize ‘winner,’ of course he’ll sign it.

    It is critical that you be aware our constitution says that the treaty takes precedence over the US Constitution (sic) and we won’t be able to resign from the treat unless we get agreement from all of the other state parties. Because we are the biggest paying country, they are not going to let us out.

    You might recall that in the recent International Monetary Fund talks in Pittsburg, there was discussion about stabilizing the world’s economy. The next thing on the horizon will be a worldwide currency. This is completely unacceptable.

    Mr. Monckton, has provided comprehensive scientific data refuting claims made by Al Gore and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Monckton argued that President Obama will sign the Copenhagen treaty at the December meeting, without seeking a two-thirds ratification of the treaty by the Senate, or any other type of Congressional approval.

    We are in the eleventh hour. I challenge you and likeminded leaders to stop the president from signing that dreadful treaty, this purposeless treaty. There is no problem, but even if there is a problem an economic treaty does nothing to [help] it.”

  2. JC says:

    Culberson and falsehoods are a common occurance.

  3. Re: Cap and Trade bill

    The figures published by the Heritage Foundation are simply false. If you rely on them, you will be digging a hole.

    Check out the McKinsey report, which was done by disinterested analysts.


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