| American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 | | | | monthly utilities, and energy companies will likely |
| Earlier this summer, the United States House of | | | | have to reduce their work forces to reduce |
| Representatives passed H.R.2454, the American | | | | expenses. In Great Britain, they have a cap and |
| Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which | | | | trade system in place and the average family |
| claims to "create clean energy jobs, achieve | | | | pays an estimated $1,300 per year for it. |
| energy independence, and reduce global warming | | | | However, here in the United State experts are |
| pollution and transition to a clean energy | | | | predicting that the cost could end up being more |
| economy." However, the bill has become quite | | | | like $1,800. |
| controversial as it includes a cap and trade "global | | | | Excessive Handouts |
| warming reduction plan" that aims to reduce | | | | Another popular criticism of the American Clean |
| greenhouse gas emissions by 17% before the | | | | Energy and Security Act of 2009 is the amount |
| year 2020. It also includes new requirements for | | | | of handouts for Congress members to please |
| utility companies regarding carbon technology, | | | | their constituents. The bill is also stuffed with |
| incentives for energy efficient homes and | | | | provisions that are favorable to companies that |
| buildings, as well as grants for new "green" jobs. | | | | lobbied for the bill. According to the Center for |
| Highly Controversial Legislation | | | | Public Integrity, over 2,300 different lobbyists |
| As with most of the recent legislation coming out | | | | worked on the bill, which resulted on "provisions |
| of Congress, H.R.2454 has quickly become very | | | | for portable spas and technical standards for |
| controversial. Opponents claim that the nearly | | | | hot-food-holders within the body of the bill." All of |
| 1,300 page bill was quickly put together. They also | | | | these handouts result in direct costs to the |
| point to its slim 219 to 212 vote passage as a bad | | | | average taxpayer. |
| sign. Many experts assert that the bill will do little | | | | Funding for Health Care Reform |
| to actually help the environment, and is mostly a | | | | As Joe Walsh pointed out in an article on Reuters, |
| way to increase Federal revenue. Currently, only | | | | many experts are predicting that cap and trade |
| about 15% of the country's pollution permits are | | | | taxes could be used to help offset the cost of |
| being auctioned off, the rest are just being given | | | | health care reform. Why? "Because with all |
| away. The new cap and trade legislation makes | | | | currently proposed {health care reform} bills |
| great efforts to convert the system to become | | | | estimated to expand deficits even as Obama |
| entirely auction based. That way the Government | | | | pledges not to sign a bill that increases them by |
| can take more control in auctioning off permits | | | | so much as a 'dime,' ever, he will need carbon |
| and reap profits from energy companies, who will | | | | cash to pay for Americans' health care." |
| still be allowed to pollute - but will just be paying | | | | Walsh continues to explain that proponents of cap |
| more to do so. | | | | and trade restrictions and working with Senators |
| Direct Cost to Taxpayers | | | | to create a bill that would not include an |
| Like I explained in my television segment the | | | | immediate public option, but one that could |
| other day, these charges to energy companies | | | | become available down the road once funding was |
| will be passed down directly to American | | | | available. Analysts predict that changing cap and |
| taxpayers. Let's take a step back and consider | | | | trade restrictions to help fund a future public |
| the domino effect: when businesses have less | | | | option could be an easy way to get the health |
| revenue because of higher taxes, they are going | | | | care reform bill passed without instant tax |
| to have to make cuts elsewhere. This means | | | | increases on the average American taxpayer. |
| consumers will end up paying more for their | | | | |