Changes

[[Steven Milloy]] wrote:

[[Steven Milloy]] wrote:

:Through heavy-handed regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other industrial sources, cap-and-trade would kill the [[coal industry]] that provides about one half of our nation's electricity. This would send [[energy prices]] skyrocketing which, in turn, would send millions of American jobs overseas, cripple our economy and make us less [[energy-independent]]. [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jan/07/beware-greens-bearing-gifts/]

:Through heavy-handed regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other industrial sources, cap-and-trade would kill the [[coal industry]] that provides about one half of our nation's electricity. This would send [[energy prices]] skyrocketing which, in turn, would send millions of American jobs overseas, cripple our economy and make us less [[energy-independent]]. [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jan/07/beware-greens-bearing-gifts/]

Estimates of the cost vary widely. A 15% cut in carbon emissions would cost the average American household about $1,600 a year, according to March 12, 2009, Congressional Budget Office testimony. Climate legislation passed by the House in June offsets most of the cost to consumers by returning some of the revenues to offset any significant spike in electricity costs.  

Estimates of the cost vary widely. A 15% cut in carbon emissions would cost the average American household about $1,600 a year, according to March 12, 2009, Congressional Budget Office testimony. Climate legislation passed by the House in June offsets most of the cost to consumers by returning some of the revenues to offset any significant spike in electricity costs.  

Environmentalists are pushing the proposal, but industry is opposed and prospects for final passage have dimmed, as the [[Recession of 2008]] and the huge federal deficit make additional burdens on the economy problematic. The Democratic Caucus is split over the bill, with coal-, oil- and manufacturing-state Democrats raising concerns that a cap-and-trade system would disproportionately raise electricity bills for consumers and business in their states.<ref>see [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27251.html#ixzz0RXLbmjQq Lisa Lerer, "Vital signs weak for climate bill," ''Politico'' Sep. 17, 2009]</ref>

Environmentalists are pushing the proposal, but industry is opposed and prospects for final passage have dimmed, as the [[Recession of 2008]] and the huge federal deficit make additional burdens on the economy problematic. The Democratic Caucus is split over the bill, with coal-, oil- and manufacturing-state Democrats raising concerns that a cap-and-trade system would disproportionately raise electricity bills for consumers and business in their states.<ref>see [https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27251.html#ixzz0RXLbmjQq Lisa Lerer, "Vital signs weak for climate bill," ''Politico'' Sep. 17, 2009]</ref>

Politically safe alternatives have been proposed. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved energy legislation with bipartisan support in June 2009 that mandates utilities provide 15% of their power from renewable sources by 2021. This legislation could furnish a bipartisan energy bill that leaves out cap and trade.  

Politically safe alternatives have been proposed. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved energy legislation with bipartisan support in June 2009 that mandates utilities provide 15% of their power from renewable sources by 2021. This legislation could furnish a bipartisan energy bill that leaves out cap and trade.  

As with any increased cost of business, the costs of emission permits are passed on to the consumer or the shareholders.  For this reason, critics of cap and trade maintain the system amounts to a tax increase on the middle class and the poor.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123655590609066021.html ''Who Pays for Cap and Trade?''], Wall Street Journal, March 9, 2009.</ref>  

As with any increased cost of business, the costs of emission permits are passed on to the consumer or the shareholders.  For this reason, critics of cap and trade maintain the system amounts to a tax increase on the middle class and the poor.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123655590609066021.html ''Who Pays for Cap and Trade?''], Wall Street Journal, March 9, 2009.</ref>  

[[Spain]] has a cap and trade program in place which led to 31% increases in the price of electricity and energy. Dr. Gabriel Calzada, a professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid told reporters, "It has cost billions."  Obama claims that part of his strategy will result in good paying 'green-jobs' but Calzada said for every green-job, 2.2 jobs in Spain were lost.<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=47679 House Republicans Hold ‘Energy Summit’ to Blast Cap-and-Trade Legislation] CNSNews, May 06, 2009</ref>

[[Spain]] has a cap and trade program in place which led to 31% increases in the price of electricity and energy. Dr. Gabriel Calzada, a professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid told reporters, "It has cost billions."  Obama claims that part of his strategy will result in good paying 'green-jobs' but Calzada said for every green-job, 2.2 jobs in Spain were lost.<ref>[https://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=47679 House Republicans Hold ‘Energy Summit’ to Blast Cap-and-Trade Legislation] CNSNews, May 06, 2009</ref>

==Necessity?==

==Necessity?==