The House of Representatives approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009—or Waxman-Markey bill— aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the Kerry-Boxer climate bill was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate.
Like the House bill, the Senate’s Kerry-Boxer bill could have a profound impact on Americans’ everyday lives. Simply stated, the legislation would likely raise energy costs, kill jobs and will not deliver the environmental benefits promised.
Given the economic challenges we face, the last thing we need is to create a climate for sky-high energy costs. Jobs and the health of the American economy depend on a more balanced approach.
Take action and let your voice be heard. Tell Congress to produce a bill that does not harm the economy and includes a more balanced approach to transportation fuels and natural gas.
Send a letter to show your legislators you're concerned about the issues that impact America's energy future. You can also sign-up for the Partnership for America’s Energy Security by clicking on "Get Involved."
Contact the administration and Congress
It is critical that your Senators hear from you in opposition to Waxman-Markey like legislation.
The oil and natural gas industry remains committed to working with Congress to produce climate change legislation, but is concerned about the added expense to American consumers, businesses and the nation’s economy.
The bills could saddle drivers with dramatically higher fuel costs. The EIA forecasts that the Waxman-Markey climate bill could increase gasoline prices to over $5 a gallon by 2030.
And a new a report shows that the Waxman-Markey climate bill amounts to a $3.6 trillion energy tax on transportation fuels. The study shows that from 2010 to 2050 motorists, workers and businesses would pay $2.0 trillion more for gasoline; truckers, farmers and businesses would pay $1.3 trillion more for diesel fuel; and airline passengers would be charged $330 billion more to pay for jet fuel.
At a time when we can least afford it, this legislation can have the effect of driving up energy costs, creating a competitive disadvantage for American businesses, and imperiling thousands—if not millions—of jobs.
According to numerous studies of Waxman-Markey, including an analysis by the government’s own EIA, the bill would result in over 2 million jobs lost by 2030. The oil and natural gas industry directly and indirectly supports 9.2 million American jobs, and these jobs and their economic productivity should not be jeopardized.
Use the interactive tools below to reach out to Congress, telling them to produce a bill that does not harm the economy.
Tell Others Where You Stand
With SocialCapital...
Use the widget below to speak up—via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, official Web site, or e-mail—and tell the administration and Congress to reject the higher costs, and fewer jobs associated with these bills. (The below widget is available in different sizes here.)
On Twitter...
Tweet your support! (E.g. - Climate bill = higher #energy costs & fewer jobs for Americans http://ow.ly/fRrp)
Follow @EnergyTomorrow on Twitter to stay informed on the latest climate legislation updates.
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