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.
The federal subsidy for corn based ethanol for automotive fuel should be eliminated. The manufacture of ethanol consumes more energy than ethanol produces as fuel. Ethanol mixed with gasoline reduces mpg; E10 by 2%; E-15 by 3% and E85 by 17% (approximately.) Subsidies for corn based methanol increase animal feed and food prices and distorts the marketplace for alternatives such as Compressed natural gas (which is available from domestic sources and is cleaner than gasoline); and diesel which is 20% more efficient than gasoline and (as ULSD) burns cleaner than gasoline. Diesel also does not required oxygenates such as methanol. Both these options if promoted would reduce our dependence on foreigin oil with appropriate tax policies (not subsidies!)
We need a hydrogen base economy no more BP dirty little empire. Convert Sea Water into fuel I have a Solar Battery with the Department of Energy since 1980 my copy stolen. Am on disability want to get back to work. On January 14, 2008, I was run over, sir.
Regards
Robert William Rommel
I thought you would find this interesting about Texas/EPA from a DC Attorney who is a very good friend. Mike
http://www.m2c2law.com/post-detail.php?id=324
On August 12, 2010, EPA announced that the following states, or portions thereof, were not ready to implement the Tailoring Rule: Alaska, Arizona (portions), Arkansas, California (portions), Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky (portions), Nebraska, Nevada (portions), Oregon and Texas.
With the possible exception of Texas, which appears to be overtly resisting EPA’s plans to regulate GHG emissions, some of the states are simply jammed on time in implementing the necessary domestic laws and regulations. Florida, for example, seems to have cried uncle for practical implementation reasons and just wants EPA to deal with GHG emissions in the state.
What happens to the states that aren’t ready to enforce GHG emission limits by January 2, 2011? EPA itself will enforce applicable GHG emission limits in those states under what is called a “Federal Implementation Plan,” or FIP.
EPA just announced that it will hold a public hearing on these matters on September 14, 2010 in the Washington, D.C. area (either downtown or in Arlington, VA — the public notice is unclear as to the location of the meeting).
Texas, which is separately suing EPA over the Tailoring Rule, is adopting an Alamo-esque stance vis-a-vis EPA on the issue of carbon regulation. In a letter dated August 2, 2010 that would make a Tenth Amendment scholar proud, Texas informed EPA that the state had “neither the authority nor the intention of interpretating, ignoring, or amending its laws in order to compel the permitting of greenhouse gas emissions.” Texas also referred to EPA’s climate actions as the “centralized control of industrial development.” We’re expecting a FIP cram-down in Austin on January 2, 2011. If resistance thereafter continues, perhaps the federal troops recently deployed for border duty will be ordered to march north.
Rep. Culberson,
I don’t care if you believe in climate change or not. What I do believe in is having clear air, and our fair city of Houston my friend does not. If you haven’t seen the nice warm smog blanket over the city on a warm morning, you are really missing out. There is plenty of room for the Left and Right to agree on areas to improve the gaseous waste that enters our air. Global warming? Who knows, I do know we there is enough junk in the air to hurt people regardless of melting icecaps. Clean coal? Yes please. Wind? Not to bad either. Nat Gas? Sure, just don’t follow Ft. Worth’s example. Nuclear?….hmm, kinda shady if you ask me. If you can bridge this gap, you will be a hero to the People (no kidding!).
Keep your ears on, you hear?
Ron Grife
PS, how will I know anyone ever read this???
The Honorable John Culberson, Rep, TX 7th district.
Sir.
Now that this global warming hoax has been exposed, it is time to repeal all of the worthless, tax dollar wasting legislation that has been happening over the last 20+ years. This includes environmental legislation that has taken away private property rights and has shut down domestic energy developement.
I am a resident in your district. I am outraged at the total disregard for individual rights being mandated in Washington today. I expect you as my representative to represent your constituants and help us take back our government.
You need to drop support for the 2 bills you support, H.R.2828 and H.R.2846. We don’t need no sinkin energy conservation. We have all of the oil, gas, and coal right here in the US that will last us for hundreds of years and will make us completely energy independent. We don’t need to waste tax dollars on “alternative energy”. If this is a promising energy source, let the private sector develop it. We need to repeal any legislation that inhibits the exploration, harvest and refining our energy resources. We need cheap, plentiful energy now.
I hope you are paying attention to the current conservative movement taking place in this country today. As my representative I expect you to help lead this movement in Congress and take our country back from the Marxist, Socialist radicals that are hell bent on destroying this country as we have known it our entire lives.
We need to leave our children and grandchildren a better country than where these people are trying to take us.
PLease help, my friend.
Chuck Chase
Houston, TX
RE: Cap and Trade
As an Earth Scientist, I am appalled and infuriated by the claims and ‘bad science’ put forth by Al Gore and his army of “Climate Scientist” regarding man-made global warming. I believe in Global Warming. The geologic record shows it’s been happening off and on for about 4.5 billion years. This is not something new and certainly NOT caused by human activity. There are numerous papers and many “real scientist” who have refuted these bogus claims made by the IPCC. Chief amoung them is Professor Richard Lindzen, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at MIT.
These are the real people who should be consulted regarding this issue, not Al Gore.
At the end of the day, “man made global warming” will prove to be the largest scam ever perpetrated on the citizens of the United States and our neighbors around the world.
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.”
Culberson and falsehoods are a common occurance.
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.