|
 Senators
McCain & Lieberman are once again trying to pass a version of the "Climate Stewardship
Act" (S.139)
by attaching it as an amendment to an unrelated bill. This climate change legislation
would impose mandatory caps on emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping
gases by utilities, major industries and refineries. It calls for reducing these
greenhouse gases to year 2000 levels by 2010. S.139 was defeated by the Senate
on a 55-43 vote in October 2003.
The McCain-Lieberman climate change legislation will dramatically increase energy
costs for consumers, agriculture producers and business and industry, and it comes
at a time when our country can least afford it. Under mandatory caps on greenhouse
gases emissions, utilities and manufacturers would have to find more costly alternatives
to coal, such as natural gas, and it would mean skyrocketing costs to farmers
and ranchers as well as consumers and businesses. As America struggles to revitalize
the economy and create important new jobs, if this climate change legislation
passes, it will: -
Raise gasoline prices by 40 cents a gallon.
-
Increase electricity and natural gas prices by nearly 50%.
-
Eliminate more than 600,000 U.S. jobs.
-
Reduce household purchasing power by as much as $2,255 per family
-
Cost $1.4 billion by 2025.
(Source: 1. A study by Charles
River Associates released by United for Jobs and the American Council for Capital
Formation 2. www.CAREenergy.com)
The
National Grange opposes any "mandatory" approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
considering high energy costs will be devastating to farmers and ranchers. The
Grange supports the expansion of "voluntary" efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions
and greater (not mandatory) use of natural resources, especially those that are
renewable and non-polluting.
IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR SENATORS TODAY AND
URGE THEM
TO OPPOSE THE "CLIMATE STEWARDSHIP ACT!" Contact
List of U.S. Senators
| Sample
Letter: |
Dear
Sen. ___________:
I
am writing to urge you to oppose the McCain-Lieberman effort to amend Senate legislation
with a version of S. 139, the "Climate Stewardship Act." Our
economy is just beginning to show signs of strengthening, with more and more Americans
able to find jobs. But by imposing unreasonable caps on CO2 and other greenhouse
gas emissions, the McCain-Lieberman climate change legislation would dramatically
add to the high energy prices families and businesses already face today and put
at risk the economic growth and new jobs our country needs. Only
last October, the Senate wisely defeated S. 139. Everyone wants to promote cleaner
air, and many businesses today are making significant progress toward voluntarily
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Also, significant research is underway to develop
cost-effective ways to reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. But S. 139
would come at much too high a price for consumers, agriculture producers, businesses
and the economy. Don't
put American jobs and our economic recovery in jeopardy. I strongly urge you to
oppose S. 139, the McCain-Lieberman "Climate Stewardship Act." Sincerely, (Signature)
(Name)__________________________ (Grange/Grange
name and number) __________________________ |
|
If
you have any questions or comments please contact Legislative Research Analyst
Chil-Sook Hwang by fax: 202-347-1091
or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 109. Thank
you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative program.
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