Cap and trade basically acts as a carbon tax and imposes costs on CO2 emitters. CO2 is produced during the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas. It is also exhaled by humans with every breath.
This new scheme will be devastating for the coal-mining industry and coal-fired power plants - both of which are major parts of the economy in this region.
Pennsylvania is the fourth ranking state in coal production. Greene, Washington, Armstrong, Somerset, Indiana, Clearfield, Westmoreland and Cambria counties are the leading producers of bituminous coal in the state. Notice anything about these counties? They are all part of or adjacent to Mr. Murtha's district.
Our region is home to many coal-fired power plants. In or near Mr. Murtha's district are the Hatfield's Ferry, Fort Martin, Elrama, Mitchell, Conemaugh, Seward, Homer City, Keystone and Allegheny power plants. Each of these plants is a major employer and contributor to their local economy and tax base; and each is a part of providing affordable and reliable electricity to Pennsylvanians.
For every mining and power plant job in Pennsylvania, there are many linked jobs in equipment, trucking, engineering, etc. If this bill succeeds in eliminating the coal industry, how does Mr. Murtha intend to make up the difference? If our region's factories must close because energy becomes too expensive or too unreliable, what will take their place as employers? What will Mr. Murtha's explanation be when our electric bills double? When unleaded goes back up to $4?
As an employee in the coal and energy industry in Cambria County, I have learned that Mr. Murtha is NOT our friend in Washington. If Mr. Murtha is fortunate, the Senate will have the good sense to vote down this monstrosity, which the president is eager to sign. If this bill becomes law, he has some explaining to do.
April Hedrick
Johnstown