'Cap and trade' spells disaster

'Cap and trade' spells disaster
James L. Lambert - Guest Columnist - 7/25/2009 5:00:00 AM
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H.R. 2454, popularly known as the "cap-and-trade" bill, passed the U.S. House due to the overwhelming support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and 210 of her fellow Democratic members of Congress. Eight House Republican traitors also voted for this bill -- Mary Bono Mack, Mike Castle, Mark Kirk, Frank LoBiondo, Leonard Lance, John McHugh, Dave Reichart, and Chris Smith. It has been reported that the vast majority of the signers of H.R. 2454 -- even its sponsors, Reps. Henry Waxman (D-California) and Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts) -- did not even read the bill. Considering this piece of legislation is estimated to have the most far-reaching effect on our energy policy that Congress has ever introduced, it is hard to fathom that so many of our representatives did not even read it.

To see how extreme H.R. 2454 is, one need only go to page 106-107 of the bill, which states: "Congress finds that the status of oil as a strategic commodity which derives from its domination of the transportation sector presents a clear and present danger to the United States" (emphasis added). With this one statement, House Democrats have declared war on the oil industry. Currently, oil is supplying the vast majority of this country's energy requirements. While we need to continue to diversify our energy supplies, we cannot ignore reality. For years, Democrats in my state of California have ranted over the oil spills off the Santa Barbara coast that occurred more than 35 years ago. However, over the last two decades (thanks to new technology), the oil industry has developed new, efficient, and clean ways of drilling for offshore oil. Development of the huge reserves off California (and ANWR in Alaska) would bring in much-needed domestic supplies and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs for California's sick economy. Unless this bill is stopped in the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama and the congressional Democratic leadership will hand over unprecedented powers to the Department of Energy. The president and thousands of newly assigned bureaucrats will be given massive powers to control and direct America's energy future. These include:
• An "energy tax" charge per kilowatt hour of all uses of energy (by also charging oil-based and coal-based energy with even higher rates). [p. 67]• The forcing or strong encouragement of the general population by the federal government to use electric cars. [p. 98]• Provide (taxpayer-funded) "financial assistance to any state, Indian tribe, or local government to furthering regional deployment" of their plan. [p. 104]• Set strict standards for fluorescent lamps and incandescent reflector lamps [pp. 200-201]• "Adoption of [federal] energy efficient building codes" mandating each state to meet or establish targets with a new national code [pp. 308-309] and with the ability of punishing violators [p. 317].• Require industry to retrofit to meet new (energy) standards forcing commercial furnace efficiency standards on gas or oil-fired units. [p. 401-402]• Establishment of a "home rating system" that can have control over changes in ownership, new liens, residential/commercial building codes and federal, state or locally owned property.• All appliances will be required to conform to new mandated national standards including the reporting of carbon-output guidelines [p. 415]• The goal to ultimately reduce residential heating and cooling use by 60 percent [p. 362]• Establish a far-reaching federal program that will set new standards for motor home and airplane production as well as affecting other forms of transportation including rail and marine. [p. 471-472]• Enhance a "cash for clunkers" program where taxpayers will fund a federal fund to buy back (up to $4,500) energy-inefficient, old cars from the public. [p. 119]• A huge push for alcohol fuels [p. 119], something that will likely increase the cost of basic food staples.• The federal government will deeply involve itself in the building industry "by demanding greater efficiencies in building codes." [p. 297]• Directive to provide environmental tree plantings [p. 369]• New outdoor lighting retrofit requirements for all local/state governments on roads and highways. [pp. 376-385]• New energy mandates for all electric spa and electric water dispensers. [p. 398]• U.S. taxpayer assistance to developing countries to help them reduce carbon emissions. [p. 650]• Future retrofit requirements for many in small business.• Control over pollution control programs including monitoring and inspection powers [p. 805]
'Filling in the blanks later' (Mark Steyn, conservative commentator)As a business entrepreneur, I believe in free enterprise and the strength of our capitalist system. But after close examination of this cap-and-trade bill, it is clear that this piece of legislation does not reflect the basic beliefs and tenets that millions of Americans hold dear. This legislation grants the government alarmingly enormous power and latitude to develop or expand their own programs by "filling in the blanks later." H.R. 2454, if enacted, will give the federal government the ability to control free enterprise as it relates to energy production and development. Equally frightening is the control that bureaucrats will have over a segment of the economy that is so far-reaching in scope. Here are just some examples that are included in this radical bill:
• Create ten regional centers for energy and environment knowledge and outreach. (The full scope and purpose of these "centers" have yet to be clearly defined.) [p. 237]• Create a National Bio-energy Partnership Board. [p. 292]• Create an Energy Technology Advisory Council. [p. 263]• Create a federal energy management program that will develop water efficiency designations, among other things. [p. 438]• Establish support for air pollution control program (i.e., more bureaucrats). [p. 805]• Create a Science Review Board.• Reports, reports, and more reports (throughout this 1,000+ page bill).• Create a National Resources Climate Change Panel. [p. 1027]
As conservative analyst Mark Steyn said recently, H.R. 2454 is "not compatible in a free society." Too much government stifles our freedom as a people, and this bill will definitely accomplish that. That is why, in my opinion, every citizen who values freedom should contact as many U.S. senators as possible. Let them know how you feel. This bill must be stopped cold in the U.S. Senate, before it is enacted into law.