N.C. Congressmen Explain Votes on Cap-And-Trade Legislation
RALEIGH (By Karen McMahan, Carolina Journal Online) - One of the centerpieces of the Obama administration’s agenda is H.R. 2998, the so-called cap-and-trade legislation, which passed the House of Representatives June 26 by a narrow 219-212 margin.
Supporters believe that the bill’s objective -- slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050 -- can spur energy independence, cut pollution, and create green jobs, all at a minimal cost, pegged by President Obama at about a postage stamp a day for the average American household.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a Democrat representing North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, voted for the bill. Spokesman Ken Willis told Carolina Journal Butterfield “feels there is empirical evidence that humans affect global climate change and the cost of inaction would be higher socially, financially, and environmentally than would taking action.” Willis added that “the bill will have a net positive economic effect on low-income Americans, because 60 percent of greenhouse gas allowances will be used to offset the higher cost of energy.”
Critics, however, say the bill is in fact a national energy tax that will transfer trillions of dollars from consumers to big business over time, and control American lifestyles and behaviors in unprecedented ways while having a negligible impact on global climate change.
Supporters believe that the bill’s objective -- slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050 -- can spur energy independence, cut pollution, and create green jobs, all at a minimal cost, pegged by President Obama at about a postage stamp a day for the average American household.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a Democrat representing North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, voted for the bill. Spokesman Ken Willis told Carolina Journal Butterfield “feels there is empirical evidence that humans affect global climate change and the cost of inaction would be higher socially, financially, and environmentally than would taking action.” Willis added that “the bill will have a net positive economic effect on low-income Americans, because 60 percent of greenhouse gas allowances will be used to offset the higher cost of energy.”
Critics, however, say the bill is in fact a national energy tax that will transfer trillions of dollars from consumers to big business over time, and control American lifestyles and behaviors in unprecedented ways while having a negligible impact on global climate change.
posted by BP News Bureau | 10:00 AM
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