Cap and Trade?

Shuler: I voted in strong favor of our energy policies for the US. It is very important. Far too often we see petroleum exporters who in return fund terrorists that are killing our soldiers. We are better than that as a country. We can find new, clean technologies to produce energy in the US. Recently in Henderson County, I saw how LED light technology developed in the US is now sold all over the world. WNC is a blessed environment, and we need to be good stewards. This piece of legislation has been politicized, and people are not educated about the legislation, which I actually read. The Chinese just announced they will be investing $700 billion in green energy. We can set up a ten-year process for energy independence. We do not need the Middle East. We have our own natural resources and brainpower. I do not want to see the Chinese get ahead of us. This is no tax. It is about tax cuts, breaks, and incentives. It is not a job-killer. NC has done a good job of reducing petroleum use. NC ranks high in job creation. It should pursue green energy.

Miller: We have a huge difference. We all have a moral obligation to be good stewards of the environment. Cap and Trade is based on questionable science. We’re in a recession, not recovering jobs well at all. It will take nine years at this rate to return to pre-recession employment levels. Everything I’ve read about Cap and Trade. I have read the bill and the amendment. It is extremely confusing.

Shuler: Let me explain it to you.

Miller: Government wants to control the right to emit carbon, and this should result in job losses. Even a low-cost scenario of Cap and Trade was expected to cause job loss. Spain is into clean energy. They have found for every job created, 2.2 jobs will be lost; and the new jobs don’t pay as well. This has been disastrous for Spain. This may not be a tax, but a retired lady referred to the bill as the “heat or eat” bill. The Chinese are investing in clean energy. We can’t keep investing in sending jobs away. Energy costs will be higher, and you’re trying to introduce unions when they’re not necessary; and that’s running jobs off. When renewable energy takes off, and solar and wind will not do that soon, we need clean coal, natural gas, nuclear power. The Chinese put in coal plants week after week after week.