Why my Congressman voted for Cap and Trade

Email ^ | 7/4/09 | Rep. Michael McMahon

[StatenIsland]

Thank you for contacting me to express your views about emissions trading.

Emissions trading, also known as "cap and trade," is an effort to address global climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. An upper limit is placed on the total allowable emissions, and that limit decreases through time. Any company or group that holds an emissions permit will be limited to the amount of greenhouse gas it can emit, which is represented as an amount of credits. Over time, this cap will gradually decrease and allow less and less pollution. For those who stay below the cap, they can sell excess allowances to those entities in need of additional emissions credits. Companies that have difficulty meeting the cap can purchase additional credits from other companies that are already below the cap. The cost of incurring additional allowances beyond the cap creates a financial incentive to reduce emissions through efficiency measures or technological advancements.

This bill uses the same, market-based, American solution which was successfully put in place to fight Acid Rain in 1990 for carbon emissions. As a result of the Acid rain program, electricity rates fell 10 percent and 16 million new jobs were added to the American economy.

"The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009" - H. R. 2454 - was introduced by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) on March 15, 2009. On June 26, the House passed this bill by a vote of 219-212.

H.R. 2454 includes a "cap-and-trade" program that would place an annual cap on net carbon emissions, and would allow polluters to trade their carbon allowances as a way of reducing the production of greenhouse gas emissions by 83% by 2050. It also would require that 25% of all electricity supplied in the United States by 2025 be derived from renewable energy sources.

I voted for H.R. 2454 because it presents a balanced approach to American energy independence. It allows us to compete in the global marketplace, where the United States is severely behind others in the development of clean energy technology, and promotes innovation and creativity, two fundamental American values. Most important, the bill also provides consumer protections that will help keep energy costs low. Further, a vote for this bill is a vote for our troops, and our national security. We must reduce our reliance on imported oil.

New York households will save on average $5.58 per month in electricity costs and $8.00 a month in fuel costs within the next 10 years under the Energy Bill. Investing $150 billion in clean energy will also help create more than 1.7 million jobs - with more than 50,000 jobs created in New York State. Fifty-five percent of the bill is allotted to consumer protection provisions so that Staten Islanders and Brooklynites will not face substantial increases to their utility bills. Further, budget watchdogs have determined that the energy bill will not raise the deficit.

The Energy Bill is supported across the board by constituents, veterans and even utility companies; all of whom have pledged to work with government to transform our economy and our clean energy technology.

[x_plus_one]

Same garbage from Emmanual Cleaver of Kansas City. The staff repeats the list of lies to all who call. There is no accountability for them when the bills come due. That’s the real problem. Their feet won’t be held to the fire in any circumstance and they know it and act accordingly.

[DJ Frisat]

"...it presents a balanced approach to American energy independence."

Horse puckey. A balanced approach would include development of our OWN vast oil and natural gas resources and clean, safe nuclear power, not mandating the pet projects and unproven technologies favored by libs & environmentalist whackos. I don't think anyone here is against solar or wind energy, but there's little reason to believe that either one or a combination of both can provide all the power that we require.

"We must reduce our reliance on imported oil."

We could've started that LAST YEAR. Remember "Drill here, drill now"? You libs were against it. Morons.

[Walrus]

Lemmee see now...first thought comes to me—because he’s a scumbag like 99% of the rest of them! Second thought: Why is he your congressman?

[StatenIsland]

“Dear Rep. Michael McMahon,

Did you read the bill?”

He could not have, darkwing. Nobody could’ve. The 300 page amendment was not reconciled to the original bill at the time of the vote. It was sitting in the House clerks office.

So in theory - no, actually, in practice - our Congress voted for a bill that did not yet exist in its final form. We live in Bizarro World.

[ronnie raygun]

CRAP AND TRADE is just that CRAP! A back door way of these rats gaining more control of our lives and tax us more. A foolish man is a man who asks no questions. DO YOUR HOMEWORK PEOPLE! Don’t believe the dribble! Junk science is the method they are using to create an industry that does not exist but will fill thier pockets with our tax monies and fill the pockets of thier supporters.

[darkwing104]

So in theory - no, actually, in practice - our Congress voted for a bill that did not yet exist in its final form. We live in Bizarro World.

Anyone who is running against him could nail him on it...Can you imagine in a debate where he asked "How can you ever vote on something you don't know about and never read! How many other bills haven't you read before you voted on them? What have you done for the good people in your district besides being Speaker Pelosi's lap dog?"

[raybbr]

I think we should all post what the traitors wrote us in support of this travesty. I am in the process of replying. Notice the part in black. This man takes us for a fool. Of course, the consumer isn't taxed directly. They will, however have to pick up the increased cost forced on energy providers.

I picked red for the font color in honor of the communist rant. Here's mine:

---

Thank you for contacting me regarding our nation's energy policy. I appreciate your comments and having the benefit of your views.

On June 26, 2009, I voted for the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act (H.R. 2454), which passed the House by a vote of 219-212 and awaits consideration in the Senate. Contrary to many of the charges leveled against ACES, this bill will not raise your taxes nor will it "kill jobs." In fact, as a state that generates the majority of its electricity from nuclear power and low emissions natural gas we are uniquely positioned to benefit from ACES. In addition, Connecticut already participates in the central elements of ACES; namely, a regional cap-and-trade system that began in 2008 and a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) that was signed into law a decade ago and is stronger than ACES.

As passed in the House, ACES establishes a national renewable energy and efficiency standards that requires utilities and states to produce 20 percent of their energy though renewable sources, as well as new building and appliance efficiency standards. In addition, it creates a market-based cap and trade system aimed at reducing carbon emissions by our nation's major polluters by 17 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. This system, which would begin in 2012, would set a cap on national pollution levels and allow emitters of greenhouse gases and carbon pollution to purchase credits sold in a market based approach. As a result, this new system will give polluters a choice between purchasing the credits that will let them continue to pollute, or invest in the clean energy technologies that will reduce emissions, create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that ACES will raise $846 billion over ten years from the sale of carbon credits. Over half of the revenues (55 percent) will be invested towards relief to consumers - lowering the cost to power, heat and cool their homes and businesses. Nineteen percent would be used to help energy intensive industries, like steel, iron and paper, transition to cleaner operations and protect American jobs, and 13 percent would be invested in clean energy technology development and deployment. Let me make on thing clear: this legislation will not raise taxes on consumers, not by one dollar.

As I noted above the central elements in ACES - a Renewable Electricity Standard and a carbon pollution capping system - are already in place in Connecticut. For example, Connecticut is a charter member of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional greenhouse gas capping effort among 10 Northeastern states. This system, which was signed into law in 2005 and began to operate in 2008, has already held four auctions of carbon allowances to date. The most recent auction, held on June 17, 2009, yielded $4.7 million for Connecticut's clean energy and energy efficiency programs, bringing the state's total revenue to nearly $18 million since the system started. In addition, Connecticut has already set itself towards a goal of having 20 percent of its energy produce through renewable technology - 5 percent more than the standard set in this bill - enacted through a 10-year old state law.

You may be interested to know that ACES is supported by the nuclear energy industry, both nationally and in Connecticut, because producers of nuclear energy will not have to purchase emissions credits. This positions the industry well against those producers who generate power through coal and petroleum based processes, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there will be twice as many new nuclear power plants by 2025 under ACES than if the bill is not signed into law. Connecticut already generates almost half of its electricity from nuclear energy, and, along with our stronger renewable energy standard and existing regional cap and trade system, will be a model for other states looking to adopt economically feasible alternatives to energy production that contributes heavily to climate change.

There have been some claims that ACES would cost households over $3,000 a year in increased rates - even though the authors of one commonly cited study call the misrepresentation of their work "just wrong." Instead, CBO found that the net economy-wide cost of the bill would be modest annual amount of "about $175 per household." The EPA also found also that the bill would "substantially accelerate the deployment of clean energy technology that will create new jobs," for the household cost of "$80 to $111 dollars per year," just 22 to 30 cents per day or $7 to $10 per month. The CBO and EPA analyses, however, do not take into account the long-range savings from improved energy efficiency and the benefit of addressing the challenge of global climate change, which would likely lead to additional savings in energy costs for households and businesses.

On a national scale, this legislation will revitalize our economy by creating new green jobs, and increase our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. We are currently sending $400 billion overseas for foreign oil each year. This legislation - which has been under consideration in the House for several months, has been the subject of dozens of hearing in several committees, and was approved and publicly available since it was reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee on June 5, 2009 - is an important step towards ending our dependence on foreign oil and spurring innovation in clean technology to ensure our nation's competitiveness around the world. By embarking on a path to grow jobs here at home we can prepare our workforce to compete in the global marketplace which is already starved for new energy sources. Doing nothing, after years of delay and inertia to break with foreign oil, is simply not an option.

Again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue. Please be assured that I understand your concerns, and will keep them in mind as Congress continues to debate this bill and our nation's energy policies. Should you have any additional comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me in the future. For more information on my views on other issues or to see what I have been working on in Congress, please feel free to visit my official website at www.house.gov/courtney and sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely,

JOSEPH COURTNEY Member of Congress

[gunnyg]

“Why is he your congressman?”
**************

They can ALL reach out and touch ALL of us, that’s why!
It’s good to be king!

[Thermalseeker]

A back door way of these rats gaining more control of our lives and tax us more

Bingo!

If you look at everything Obamalamadingdong has pushed through or has planned, each and every measure is aimed at gaining absolute control over our lives. Cap and Tax is just part of it. Health care "reform" is all about control. The nationalizing of GM and Chrysler is all about control. Nationalizing of AIG is all about control. The bank bailout is all about control. The changes in the census next year are all about gaining control. The list is endless. 2010 can't come fast enough.

Diapers and politicians should be changed often and for the same reason. Flush Congress in 2010!

[joma89]

“Let me make on thing clear: this legislation will not raise taxes on consumers, not by one dollar.”

That is how they get around it. It will probably not raise taxes on consumers. I will raise costs for businesses who will then just pass those costs onto the consumer thus costing us more money.

The first comment is right. This spin makes me dizzy as well. These people are outright evil. For society to run, there needs to be integrity and honesty.

JoMa

[ridesthemiles]

this Bill is nothing more than the largest tax increase in American history and the largest scam in world history?”

Makes the Flat-Earth people look like positive geniuses!!!

[RoadTest]

This is a matter for the Tooth Fairy.

[pointsal]

WHAT IS SOMA? Just ran google and this is the link...

Soma is a muscle relaxer that works by blocking pain sensations between the nerves and the brain. Soma is used together with rest and physical therapy to treat injuries and other painful musculoskeletal conditions. Soma may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

[muawiyah]

That letter is totally bizarre. Did you realize your Congresscritter is a madman?

[Thermalseeker]

Did you realize your Congresscritter is a madman?

There are a bunch of them up there that fit that description.....

[central_va]

We now make public policy based on Don Quixote type wind mill tilting. J. Caesar had nothing on these guys when he made his stallion a senator. Bovine flatulence does not good policy make.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

You screwed up big-time there Bert.

You forgot the biggest issue of all that will save our Planet, Mother ship, Goddess, Earth. That all your vehicles MUST be painted White, the roof of all houses and buildings MUST be painted white.

And to guarantee that these mandates are being complied with, they will monitor the miles you drive, have a computer transmitter on all thermostats to monitor how high you have them set, (Water Heaters included) and also monitor the amount of electricity you are using at night and Winter.

Of course, Congress, the White House and all Government officials will be exempt from these standards. We MUST keep our uber Fuhrers cozy so they can protect and control us.

[kindred]

The leftist communists lie about this huge energy tax that will raise everyones prices if they buy gas, oil, natural and propane gas, electricity, and all other energy production methods.
The leftest communists are shameless liars but the fools who are leftist will never know it in their greedy arrogance and hatred of those who know that the left lives on lies and half truths like their god of forces, Lucifer the devil.

[central_va]

Just send this back to him, no words needed.

[dennisw]

A pack of lies
The Obama-bots want to shut down talk radio so that no one will know the truth as 0bama destroys America on purpose along with his power crazed Democrats