Tell Congress to Stop a Massive Utility Tax Increase

Urge a "No" Vote on the Motion to Proceed to S. 2191

by: the american conservative union | published: 06 27, 2008

SENATE LIBERALS BACK BILL TO RAISE UTILITY BILLS, COST JOBS, AND REDUCE ECONOMIC GROWTH.

On June 2, the Senate will vote to bring up a bill that supporters claim will reduce Global Warming.  S. 2191, the “Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act,” would set up a complicated government run system in which a cap is set on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by American businesses and then permits would be auctioned off and traded between those who emit more or less greenhouse gases hence the nickname “cap and trade” bill.  The cap would decrease over time, thus the permits would trade for higher and higher prices, driving up the cost of the energy you use.  This scheme is a massive tax increase on the American people disguised as a “market approach” to the so-called “Global Warming crisis.”

TELL YOUR UNITED STATES SENATORS TO VOTE “NO” ON THE MOTION TO PROCEED ON S. 2191, THE LIEBERMAN-WARNER CLIMATE ACT.

Every analysis of S. 2191 has shown the enormous negative impact its implementation would have on the American economy.  One by the Heritage Foundation shows that between now and 2020, the mandates in the bill will reduce our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) a cumulative 1.7 to 4.8 trillion dollars.  Annual job losses by 2030 would exceed 500,000 and the average household will pay $467 more per year for electricity and natural gas.  The National Association of Manufacturers’ study of this bill also shows massive losses to the American economy.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) exposed this bill as a hidden tax increase.  CBO estimates that federal revenues will increase $1.2 trillion dollars over the next ten years.  The Liberals in Congress will claim that the cost will be borne by some big corporation.  Conservatives know this is a lie--that you, the consumer, will pay in higher and higher utility bills and fewer jobs.

TELL THE SENATORS FROM YOUR STATE TO STOP THIS BILL NOW!   URGE A “NO” VOTE ON THE MOTION TO PROCEED TO S. 2191.

Even the liberal Washington Post thinks this is a stupid idea.  In a recent editorial, the Post called “cap and trade” a “pithy marketing gimmick” that hides a huge regulatory scheme and the real costs it would impose on American consumers.  Greg Mankiw, the Harvard professor who used to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors and supports environmental taxes said this scheme combines a carbon tax with corporate welfare.

The “cap and trade” scheme is copied from one already in effect in  Europe.  It has been a monumental failure there.  Stephen Mufson, in a Washington Post article, interviewed managers from a silicon carbide maker in the  Netherlands, Kollo Holding.  Despite using state-of-the-art pollution control equipment the high electricity prices caused by “cap and trade” have forced the company to lay off 30% of its employees while two of their customers have turned to cheaper imports from China.

TAKE ACTION NOW!  LET YOUR SENATORS KNOW YOU’RE WATCHING.  URGE A “NO” VOTE ON THE MOTION TO PROCEED TO S. 2191, THE LIEBERMAN-WARNER BILL.

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