Question of the Week: Cap-and-Trade (Energy) Legislation
These questions are culled from phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails sent to my Thousand Oaks, Solvang, and Washington offices. Each week I will add another question and answer.
Week of May 22, 2009
• Question: Where do you stand on the Waxman Cap-and-Trade (energy) legislation?
→ Answer: Rep. Waxman’s cap-and-trade legislation is H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
I strongly believe our nation needs a balanced energy policy to maintain our standard of living and future economic growth. This includes policies to promote renewable and alternative sources of energy and conservation, as well as sustaining healthy domestic oil exploration and development, thus reducing our dependence on foreign oil imports. However, H.R. 2454 will result in higher energy prices for all U.S. consumers and do nothing to rid the U.S. of its dependency on foreign sources of energy.
For these reasons, I am a cosponsor of alternative legislation, H.R. 2300, the American Energy Innovation Act. This legislation would encourage innovation within the energy market to create the renewable fuel options and energy careers of tomorrow. It would promote greater conservation and efficiency by providing incentives for easing energy demand and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment. It would also increase the production of American energy by responsibly utilizing all available resources and technologies and streamlining burdensome regulations.
The Waxman cap-and-trade legislation is a national energy tax that will lead to fewer jobs and more government intrusion. Congress cannot adopt shortsighted energy policies that penalize one sector of the market to pick winners in another sector. Policies that facilitate the production of traditional resources, as well as support the rapid development of market-based alternative energy sources and technologies, provide the best hope to meet American’s energy needs today and into the future. You can be assured that I will closely monitor this legislation as it moves to the House Floor and continue to only support legislation that will increase American energy production, encourage energy efficiency and conservation, and promote the use of alternative energy.
For more information about my positions on energy, please see my Energy Issues page.
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