‘Cap and trade’ is a disastrous bill
Congress could take a step backward in the re-industrialization of the United States if it approves the "cap and trade" carbon emissions bill in a vote that could come as early as this week.
As drafted, the bill would push industries to buy costly permits to burn fossil fuels - the coal that is vital to local jobs in mines, power generation and the crippled steel industry included - with the price being passed along in the form of higher utility bills.
So far, in a survey of area representatives, only U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-St. Clairsville, has committed to a "no" vote on the measure, fearing the impact of a hike in energy prices on energy-intensive industries such as steel.
"Cap and trade" is formally known as HR 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. It is co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Edward Markey, D-Mass., who have no interest in protecting areas of the country that would be hurt badly by the measure. West Virginia and Ohio are among those areas.
There is no way around seeing the potential impact on states such as Ohio, where about 86 percent of electricity is generated from coal-fired power plants, or West Virginia, where the number is about 97.5 percent. In other words, if a business uses electricity, it will have a new, higher cost of staying in operation with cap and trade. Those who can't meet the burden will close, adding to joblessness, economic distress and diminished communities.
Initially, "cap and trade" emissions permits were to be auctioned off. But the bill has been amended.
In its current state, only 15 percent of permits would be auctioned.
The remaining 85 percent would be dealt out by the government - which has an obvious anti-coal bias.
Beyond any reasonable doubt, politics would be part of the process of handing out permits.
Politics already is part of the process. Liberal supporters of the bill are worried that the bill will not be approved. To gain votes they have been granting concessions to lawmakers representing various special interests.
According to one report, it was agreed that the automobile industry will receive billions of dollars from sales of emissions permits.
That will help gain support from Michigan lawmakers. According to another published report, farm-state lawmakers have demanded concessions intended to lessen the bill's impact on the agriculture industry - and possibly to help ethanol - producers.
It has been suggested that party discipline is a factor for some Democrat lawmakers attempting to decide how to vote on "cap and trade."
Their party controls the House. Its leaders can hand out favors to representatives who go along with them - and can punish those who do not.
But members of Congress are in Washington to serve their constituents - not their party leaders.
We support Wilson for taking a stance that might hurt his standing but will protect the jobs of his constituents.
