At 2 Cents a Gallon, Climate Bill Is a Bargain

To paraphrase Joe Lieberman; it is imperative that Congress and the American public think long term in regards to energy security and climate protection. We could not agree more.

The Climate Security Act, which Senator Lieberman is a sponsor of, would "cap carbon dioxide emissions on smokestacks and tailpipes and allow companies to trade credits so long as pollution remains below the cap", effectively reducing our carbon footprint and encourage clean industry.

Critics say this piece of legislation would raise the cost of energy for consumers and support Bush-era policies of negotiating with countries like Saudi Arabia to increase their oil supply, keeping prices low.

What is wrong with this short-term strategy?

1) It ignores that the world's oil supply is rapidly decreasing and high prices are unavoidable.
2) It means we will continue to buy oil overseas which reduces our national security.
3) It keeps us from investing in industries that are clean, green, and would create millions of jobs.

Will prices go up? The U.S. Department of Energy says this Act would cause a 2 cent raise in the price of gasoline.

Is that 2 cents worth a paving the way to an innovative country that protects our climate, creates jobs, and is self sufficient? You make the decision.

"At 2 Cents a Gallon, Climate Bill Is a Bargain"
Dan Shapley, The Daily Green
Published: The San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/07/29/hearstmaggreen344831.DTL