WASHINGTON — Landmark legislation to curb U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions was approved by the House of Representatives in a close vote late Friday, securing an initial victory for a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s agenda.

The 1,200 page bill — formally known as the “American Clean Energy and Security Act” — will reach into almost every corner of the U.S. economy. By putting a price on emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, the bill would affect the way electricity is generated, how homes and offices are designed, how foreign trade is conducted and how much Americans pay to drive cars or to heat their homes.

The House climate bill, approved by a 219-212 vote Friday evening, would mandate that 15% of the nation’s electricity come from renewable sources such as wind and solar power by 2020, potentially expanding the market and profit potential for companies in those sectors. Towards that goal, it seeks to boost nascent industries such as wind-generated electricity and solar power.

It’s not clear whether the bill will pass the Senate though. Call your Senators at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to vote no this economy killer… According to an analysis conducted by The Heritage Foundation, the bill would raise energy costs for a household of four, by $436 in 2102, when it’s provisions go into effect, and by an average or $1,241 in 2035. That same families electricity costs would rise up to 90 percent by 2035, gasoline by 58 percent, and natural gas by 55 percent by 2035.

The Eight House Republicans who voted for the Cap and Tax bill are:

Mary Bono Mack (CA) (202) 225-5330
Mike Castle (DE) (202) 225-4165
Mark Kirk (IL) (202) 225-4385
Leonard Lance (NJ) (202) 225-5361
Frank LoBiondo (NJ) (202) 225-6572
John McHugh (NY) (202) 225-4611
Dave Reichert (WA) (202) 225-7761
Chris Smith (NJ) (202) 225-3765

Special thanks to Michelle Malkin for the names and phone numbers.

Related

• The Cap and Tax Fiction – Wall Street Journal
• The Climate Change Climate Change – Wall Street Journal
• The Economic Impact of the Waxman-Markey Cap-and-Trade Bill – Heritage Foundation

Government policy should be crafted to raise the price of carbon-emitting energy sources so consumers are compelled to choose alternative energy, House Democratic Conference Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) told CNSNews.com on Thursday.

Larson agreed that such a policy would likely result in higher electricity prices for consumers but said this is needed to protect the environment from the possible “catastrophic results” of not implementing a pro-green energy policy.

Some Republicans who spoke with CNSNews.com at the Capitol agreed that electricity prices would go up, and they dismissed President Barack Obama’s cap-and-trade plan as little more than a large tax on energy producers, the cost of which is passed onto consumers.

With cap and trade, the amount of carbon an energy company can emit is capped. If it exceeds that limit, the company can purchase credits (“trade”) that would go towards investment in green or alternative energy firms.

“I think the government should serve as an impetus to do so, because as I said at the outset, not doing anything — the catastrophic results that can come from that – are what drives this issue,” Larson told CNSNews.com when asked if boosting electricity prices through government policy to drive consumers to green energy was a good idea.

I don’t have any specific comments beyond… Idiot, the idea of government micromanaging peoples lives flies directly in the face of this country’s founding priciples. Whatever happend to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?

Previous

• Kerry and Boxer: U.S. ‘Needs’ Cap-and-Trade on Carbon Emissions Even if Energy Costs Rise

Related

• Man’s Contribution to Global Warming – Heritage Foundation

Enter Democratic Sens. John F. Kerry and Barbara Boxer:

Democratic Sens. John Kerry and Barbara Boxer told CNSNews.com that the nation must adopt the Obama administration’s cap-and-trade proposal to reduce carbon emissions, even if it results in massive increases in gasoline and electricity prices.

When CNSNews.com asked the Massachusetts Democrat whether the country could afford cap-and-trade during the recession, Kerry responded, “Yes, yes, yes, and yes.” He added: “The cap and trade system is – in fact – going to help us kick our economy back into gear.

“It’s a win-win in so many different ways, we can’t afford not to do it,” Kerry said.

When CNSNews.com confronted the former Democratic presidential nominee with admissions from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and White House budget chief Peter Orszag that the plan would most certainly raise energy prices for Americans – Kerry maintained his support for the controversial initiative.

Lord help us… As the Washington Times reported yesterday “President Obama’s climate plan could cost industry close to $2 trillion, nearly three times the White House’s initial estimate of the so-called “cap-and-trade” legislation, according to Senate staffers who were briefed by the White House.”

The sad reality is that Pres. Obama’s cap-and-trade plan likely will cripple our economy… The resulting increases in energy prices will ultimately trickle down throughout the economy in the form of higher prices on all sorts of goods and services at a time when we can least afford them.