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timeswv.com

Published: January 27, 2010 02:03 am

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‘Cap and trade’ bill slammed by Manchin

By Tom Breen |  Associated Press Writer


CHARLESTON — A day after meeting with environmentalists concerned about surface mining, Gov. Joe Manchin asked the Legislature to approve a symbolic resolution affirming that coal is still king in West Virginia.

Resolutions sought by Manchin were introduced Tuesday in both the House of Delegates and the state Senate.

They condemn federal legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions with so-called “cap and trade” programs, and express support for investment in new energy industry technologies aimed at reducing pollution from coal.

The resolutions warn that the federal legislation, which has passed the U.S. House of Representatives but stalled in the Senate, would cost West Virginia 10,000 jobs by 2020 and shrink its gross domestic product by $750 million in the same period.

They also state with confidence that coal will continue to be a dominant source of electrical power, as overseas demand rises.

“Coal will continue to be a primary energy source to meet these additional demands, and therefore the United States should lead the way in advancing cleaner coal technology,” the House resolution says.

The resolutions come a day after Manchin and other political leaders met with members of environmental groups opposed to mountaintop removal mining, a meeting he convened to help bridge the gap between those groups and the coal industry.

“The governor and some of the West Virginia Legislature are completely out of touch with reality and refuse to care for the our future generations or prepare for the near future,” said longtime environmental activist Judy Bonds, of Coal River Mountain Watch. “It seems as if the governor did not really hear a word we said yesterday.”

Manchin’s position on cap and trade should not come as a surprise to anyone, though, spokesman Matt Turner said.

“This is not a new stance for him,” Turner said. “And as far as the issues brought up with the environmental groups yesterday, it’s totally separate.”

Ironically, many environmentalists share Manchin’s opposition to what’s known as “cap and trade.” Under the plan, a cap would be placed on greenhouse gas emissions, but polluters who exceed the cap could trade for credits from companies whose emissions fall below it. (Emphasis added)

“We oppose cap and trade, but for very different reasons than the governor,” said Vivian Stockman of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, one of the groups that met with Manchin on Monday.

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We should not be surprised by Gov. Manchin's position. He is doing/arguing for what is good for his state. Good for him! That's what Governors are supposed to do.

Me..I find it unconscionable that the government is so ready to create fake "carbon emission" assets and create another bubble and cream from it at the expense of us taxpayers and consumers.... while the real issue.... energy independence... remains unaddressed.

I also think it is ridiculous that the government has not planned for a gradual transition of states dependent on coal for their workforce to be otherwise productively engaged. 

Moreover, Cap and trade has been proposed at quite possibly the worst economic circumstances.

Perhaps time for Byrd to retire, now that he is no longer the 60th vote in the Senate.

-- Edited by Sanders on Wednesday 27th of January 2010 04:18:00 PM