Ed Whitfield on Cap-n-Trade

Here is a letter that Congressman Ed Whitfield wrote that was in the Paducah Sun. There is a lot of truth in his letter. We better take note!

Here it is below:


Kentucky coal, consumers face hard hit if cap-and-trade passes

BY Congressman Ed Whitfield

Monday, June 15, 2009

On June 2, the Paducah Sun printed an editorial pointing out the many problems plaguing a cap-and-trade program currently being debated in the United States Congress. The editorial highlighted many of the concerns I have been stating for months to both my colleagues in Congress and constituents in Kentucky’s First Congressional District.
As the only Kentucky congressman on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the American Clean Energy Security Act of 2009, I have fought hard to ensure that Kentucky coal continues to play a role in our nation’s energy mix and that consumers are not saddled with sky high electricity costs. The cap-and-trade system established in the bill could have an enormous negative impact on the use of coal, a vital resource for Kentucky and the entire country.
Today, the United States possesses enough coal to power the nation for the next 250 years, with much of this supply coming from the Commonwealth. Kentucky produced nearly 126 million tons of coal in 2006, making it the third-leading coal producing state in the country. The industry directly employs more than 17,000 people across the Commonwealth and indirectly provides three additional jobs for every miner employed.
Furthermore, coal continues to be the most economical way to produce electricity. Proposals to hinder the industry would drive up electricity costs significantly. In Kentucky, we generate 92 percent of our electricity from coal. Under a proposed cap-and-trade system, it is estimated that electric bills in the Commonwealth would increase anywhere from 26 percent to 65 percent. Electric bills for businesses would also jump, driving up costs for all goods and services. During tough economic times, Americans simply cannot afford this.
The reality is, implementing a cap-and-trade program before carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are available would have a devastating impact on the U.S. economy. Instead of forcing coal out of the energy mix by mandating unreasonable standards, we need to encourage the development of these clean coal technologies. With proper investment and support, CCS technologies can be advanced quickly to allow coal to be used in clean and innovative ways.
All of us — Democrats, Republicans and independents — are committed to protecting our planet for the well-being of future generations. It is essential that as we work to produce cleaner energy we balance the need for cleaner fuel sources against the need for protecting jobs in the U.S. and keeping our country competitive in the global market place. Rest assured as this legislation moves forward in Congress, I will continue my efforts to ensure that consumers are protected and that Kentucky coal continues to play a role in our nation’s energy portfolio.