The problem is that this bill does not guarantee a reduction in CO2 emissions, just creates an increasing revenue stream for the federal government. There currently is no known technology that is deployable today to reduce emissions from power plants. With caps coming into play in 2012, there is no way technology can be found to achieve the CO2 reductions in time. Therefore, this is really all about generating revenue.
If it were meant to reduce CO2 emissions, instead of being all supply side-oriented, it would provide for more efficiency measures in buildings, manufacturing, etc. Although “green” jobs are promised, reality is that higher energy costs, along with existing labor costs, will drive these jobs oversees. Why would anyone manufacture solar panels in the U.S. (this is an energy-intensive process) where energy costs are high when they can be off-shored to China and India where energy and labor will be less expensive? The only CO2 reduction that will occur is due to the loss of additional manufacturing jobs and the loss of quality of life with those jobs to foreign markets with no CO2 or other emission standards. The reality is that worldwide emissions of CO2, SOx and NOx will actually increase.
If we really want to reduce emissions, we need a two-pronged approach, demand side efficiencies and money going towards technology, both for clean coal and nuclear. This bill puts forth a pittance towards these.
Bryce Cramer
District Office and Member Services Manager
Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association
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