House Passes Landmark Climate-change and Energy Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed by a vote of 219-212, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454), intended to drastically reduce U.S. levels of greenhouse gas emissions and increase the nation’s use of renewable fuels. Eight Republicans joined 211 Democrats in voting for the bill, while 44 Democrats and 168 Republicans voted in opposition.
The House bill proposes to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050. To accomplish this, the bill creates a market-based “cap and trade” system, which places an upper limit – the “cap” – on carbon emissions from all sources. The cap reduces steadily until reaching the 83 percent reduction required by 2050. Companies such as electric utilities, oil refiners and other manufacturers that exceed their greenhouse gas emission targets could sell “carbon allowances” – the “trade” -- on the open market. Companies that were unable to meet their required emission targets would be required to buy those carbon allowances. Theoretically, the potential profits to be made in the new carbon trade market would create jobs and stimulate the private-sector development new greenhouse gas-reducing technologies at little or no cost to taxpayers.
Opponents of the bill argue that the cap and trade system actually amounts to a tax that will drastically increase consumers' utility bills. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the emissions reductions required by the bill would cost the average household roughly $1,600 in annual energy costs.
The bill also requires that at least 20 percent of the power produced by the nation’s utility companies be generated from renewable energy sources by 2020, and requires higher energy efficiency standards for new buildings.
Democrats, who supported the bill say its cap and trade system will create jobs, while Republicans who opposed the bill say cap and trade will cost jobs. Or, as Liberal Politics Guide Deborah White points out, the politics of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 are “both murky and tricky,” thus forcing it to face “what likely will be a protracted battle,” through the Senate and on to President Obama’s desk.
Also See:
US Releases Sweeping Climate Change Report
Mired in Global Warming Politics, Climate Change Bill Should Be Passed (Liberal Politics)
Cap and Trade and You
Comments
America is dying at a rate faster than even I could have imagined. We are now the costliest society per capita and will even slide further into the socialist/Marxist abyss. This Congress is a disgrace and should be removed at all costs. Patriots it is time to organize and prepare for the battle to save America. Term limits NOW!
I’d encourage the skeptics over the man-made climate change to think of the sky in Beijing.
The current consumption of dirty, noxious energy reminds me of human smoking habit.
Just another bill no one read. Something for politically connected friends and family to make money on. Harold you are absolutely correct. The time is near. Vote every incumbant out. Repub and democrat.
I can’t believe it! If those 8 had stuck with their colleagues, they could have defeated this! And this bill, btw, will NOT improve the air in Beijing! Trust me!
I don’t understand how congress can pass something when they know it is not going to work and all this is interfering with our Life, and take money from the lower income people, me for one, I make 934.00 a month with a house bill of 536.00 a month. One that I was left with-with the passing of my Military Career Husband
There is only one infallible way to make term limits happen: The American voter must IMPOSE term limits on Congress, by NEVER REELECTING anyone in Congress. Not your guy, nor your party’s guy, nor even a ‘good’ guy. Reelect nobody!
In other words, don’t let anyone serve more than one term. That’s the only way to teach them that the voter is the boss! The “one term limit” can be changed AFTER we citizens get control of Congress.
Congress will never allow you to term limit them. Your only choice is to NEVER REELECT them.
Remember too, it makes no difference who you vote for, as long as it is NEVER for any incumbent!
That’s not exactly bipartisan support for the legislation, is it? This has little future if the nation is so divided over it. Clearly a better model is needed, so that it won’t be scrapped as soon as there is a change of government.
I’m all for a cleaner environment. Who isn’t? But the bills the Congress is currently passing have little or no balance in them. We literally can’t see the effects of these bills until they hit our pocketbooks, which will be too late. Why isn’t the Congress taking more time to educate themselves on subjects that are obviously foreign to them? Instead they are making rash decisions that will effect many of us negatively.
Well…THIS Harold Mack realizes that democracies deteriorate into over regulated over taxed and weakly moraled socialist societies. Just ask Aristotle. He knew this several mellinium ago! We are headed towards the end and thus a new START. If this sounds crazy to you take such as a sign that YOU are
not only unaware but quite hopelessly clueless.