Energy and Climate Change - Information

Overview -  Energy legislation that cuts emissions and invests in renewable sources of energy is one of President Obama's top legislative priorities. Legislation would give priority to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power vs. fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) and nuclear energy.

Current Status of Legislation - HR2454 American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (Cap and Trade Bill) was passed by the House on June 26, 2009 (with just one vote to spare). This bill may go to the Senate before the August recess, or be voted on by the Senate in September.  Your responsibility is communicate to your elected representatives...now.

912 Loveland Project Position: Oppose

Does President Obama believe the most effective means are whatever will achieve the desired ends, even if that means lying, cheating and stealing?

Talking Points

1. Is the bill constitutional? No

2. Is CO2 a pollutant? No
Flawed science and the "hockey stick curve" that has caused so much alarm is based on incorrect handling of records and incorrect statistical analysis . For more information read the testimony to the Senate Energy Committee on February 25, 2009 by William Happer concerning Climate Change (posted on the Science and Public Policy Institute website).

For an indepth discussion of climate change we suggest the book "Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 years" by S. Fred Singer and Dennis T. Avery published January 2008.

3. Has the federal government wasted money on climate science funding? Yes
The US Government has spent more than $79 billion of taxpayer's money since 1989 on policies related to climate change, including science and technology research, administration, propaganda campaigns, foreign aid, and tax breaks.  Most of this spending was unnecessary. Paper by Science and Public Policy Institute

4. Is Cap and Trade system susceptible to fraud and corruption? Yes
Carbon Credits  (cap and trade system) will be difficult to control (long term impact of a market in carbon is impossible to predict) and there is big potential for corruption (lots of money involved, lots of room "to fudge" the numbers). You will find this article enlightening. "Can Carbon Credits Slow Global Warming?" by Anya Kamenetz published by Fast Company June 2008.

5. This plan is very expensive. Yes

The Wall Street Journal calls the so-called American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (a.k.a the “Cap-and-Trade Tax Bill”) “the biggest tax in American history.”

According to the Ben Lieberman at the Heritage Foundation, the massive “national energy tax” will cost the average family "nearly $3,000 per household per year."

Even Barrack Obama admitted that under “Cap-and-Trade” legislation, "electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket." interview with San Francisco Chronicle editorial board, January 2008.

Links to Websites with additional information