David Larsen for Congress

Help us fight Cap & Trade

 

What is Cap & Trade?
Technically it is the H.R. 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 or more commonly known as the “Waxman-Markey Bill”. Simply stated, “Cap & Trade” is the unofficial name of legislation that would restrict or “cap” the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) manufacturers and other businesses emit into the atmosphere. This would be accomplished by issuing “carbon permits” that businesses would purchase to offset the CO2 they are producing. If a company produces less CO2 than allowed by the permits, it can sell or “trade” the excess permits to other companies on an open exchange like the stock market.

What is the purpose of Cap & Trade?
The stated purpose of Cap & Trade legislation is a 60% reduction in the amount of CO2 the United States emits into the atmosphere by 2050. The proposed legislation is based on the belief that the global climate is getting warmer as the result of mankind’s reliance on coal, oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels to produce energy. If it becomes law, Cap & Trade legislation will compel energy producers, manufacturers and other businesses to reduce the amount of CO2 they emit and/or purchase carbon permits.

Is climate change really caused by mankind?
In a word: NO. CO2 constitutes a minuscule percentage of the planet’s atmosphere and is NOT responsible for global warming. Just the reverse is the case: when the planet heats up as the result of changes in the sun, CO2 gets released - mostly from the oceans. The earth has actually been cooling down in the past decade and this corresponds with the activity of the sun. Even if we achieved a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050, the average global temperature would remain unaffected until 2095 – when it would drop by a tenth of one degree. The science is hardly “settled” and increasing numbers of researchers are coming out against any validity for man-made global warming.

Then why is Congress pushing for this legislation?
In a word: MONEY. Forcing energy producers, manufacturers and any other businesses that emit CO2 to purchase “permits” is just another way of imposing a carbon tax. Some in Congress – mostly Democrats - support the legislation because it will create another source of revenue while giving the federal government greater control over the economy. Others in Congress – including some Republicans – support this legislation because they believe that mankind is causing the earth to become warmer. Our own Congressman, Leonard Lance, voted in favor of Cap & Trade in 2009.

Leonard Lance voted FOR Cap & Trade?!
Yes he did – and here is what he said: “I am voting for this bill because it is time America turned the corner and took bold action to clean the environment and develop alternative energy.” Mr. Lance believes in man-made climate change and is strongly supported by the Sierra Club – a liberal-leaning environmentalist group that opposes any effort on our part to tap our own enormous reserves of coal, oil and natural gas or construct more nuclear power plants.

What will happen to us in District 7 if Cap & Trade becomes law?
The cost of producing energy in several states will skyrocket, increasing the cost of production and transportation which will be passed on to all consumers, either directly (in the form of higher prices for gasoline, heating oil, natural gas and electricity) or indirectly (in the form of higher prices on goods manufactured and sold through interstate commerce). Ultimately, as businesses react to higher operating costs, it will cause more jobs to disappear in New Jersey. The Heritage Foundation estimates the total cost of living per average household in the U.S. will increase by $3,000 per year or more; in New Jersey the cost of living could increase by as much as $6,000. In a nutshell:
• It’s a massive energy tax that will not make a meaningful impact on the environment.
• It will cause utility rates to go up while increasing manufacturing and transportation costs.
• It will cost New Jersey families as much as $6,000 more per year to live in the Garden State.
• It will force lower-income residents of New Jersey to choose between energy and other expenses.
• It will kill manufacturing, transportation and other jobs in New Jersey and throughout the United States.

What can I do to stop Cap & Trade?
Say NO to Leonard Lance and vote for David Larsen on Tuesday, June 8. Dave is a Reagan Conservative who believes in the power of individual liberty and the free market. Dave’s plan for an energy-independent America would unleash the force of the private sector to free us from our reliance on foreign oil:
1. Expand exploration and drilling for oil and natural gas both on land and offshore.
2. Allow coal-mining companies to explore and tap richer reserves of coal nationwide.
3. Permit the construction of new oil refineries and nuclear power plants nationwide.
4. Enforce strict safety and environmental safeguards in the energy industry.

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Paid for by David Larsen for Congress