Bill would cripple economy

As the acceptance of climate change has become more widespread in recent years, the recommendations to combat climate change have become more varied. As the situation currently stands, energy generated from coal provides most of the energy consumed industrially and residentially in America.

Going forward, some people recommend wind power, others solar or even nuclear power as a replacement for our current reliance on coal. I have no doubt that a combination of these energy sources will be part of the plan that America finally employs to combat climate change. But to restrict or eliminate coal from that plan would be unwise. And for all practical purposes, that is exactly what legislation under consideration in Congress might do.

America’s Climate Security Act of 2007 – commonly referred to as S 2191 – is being considered in the U.S. Senate. S 2191 would place unattainable goals on the coal-derived energy industry, such as a reduction in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The technology to achieve this goal does not currently exist – leaving one to conclude that this bill would effectively halt activities that cause the greenhouse emissions. A halt in these activities translates into a halt in the economic growth that is dependent upon abundant energy sources. Most alarmingly, estimates of job loss resulting from the implementation of S 2191 are as high as 2.3 million. This is unacceptable.

Most people believe climate change needs to be addressed. But our economy and our standard of living should not be crippled in the process. America needs a sensible climate policy that protects the environment while fostering a healthy economy, and I’m afraid that the current legislation falls woefully short of this goal.

R.D. Snead
Lebanon, Va.