Green states line up behind U.S. climate bill ("Green States" cause energy price hikes everywhere)

reuters ^ | 6/26/2009 | Timothy Gardner and Peter Henderson

[tobyhill]

States that have set the U.S. agenda on addressing greenhouse gas emissions are lining up behind a federal climate bill, fearing signs of dissent would weaken a plan that still faces hurdles.

Nearly half the U.S. states have moved toward curbing greenhouse gas emissions and want the federal government to learn from their experience in creating systems to cap emissions and trade pollution credits.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday narrowly passed a climate change bill that would create a national system to cap greenhouse gas emissions and allow trade of such credits. Only eight Republicans joined Democrats in backing the measure. Prospects for Senate passage this year are uncertain.

Under the bill, the government would issue a declining number of permits to companies, which could sell them to each other as needed, and carbon emission would drop 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, from 2005 levels.

Supporters hail it as the first substantial national step to ease global warming. Republicans in Congress have attacked the legislation, saying it would increase consumer prices as companies are forced to switch to more expensive alternative fuels.

[McGavin999]

I think the only solution is to split this country up. There are portions of the US that are inhabited by morons.

[umgud]

What the hell is a green state?

[muawiyah]

Cap and Tax will quickly return America to the economic levels typical of Europe in the 10th Century.

We'll also become quite feudal as a consequence.

I'm thinking our neighborhood should start preparing by financing the construction of a double row of 12 foot high concertina wire topped chain link fences ~ with moats, and dropoffs to follow. Get a head start on this and maybe we'll be around after the Dislocations of the 2000s.

[LukeL]

I would buy as much stock in companies related to nuclear power. As they produce 0 carbon emissions, and will make a ton of money in selling carbon credits.

[Principled]

...and carbon emission would drop 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, from 2005 levels.

nope. the bill doesn't make emissions drop at all - it just makes energy more expensive. which means jobs leave the US. again.

Nuke can reduce emissions and we have enough gas and oil to be independent. Both of those solutions really do have long term jobs and will solve the problems this "bill" purports to solve [energy independence and carbon emits]

This is not about energy independence nor is it about reducing carbon emits.

[Principled]

This tone of money will be paid by you and I.

;(

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

It’s about killing off the independent citizen. It’s about making us slaves.

[FastCoyote]

[carbon emission would drop 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, from 2005 levels. ]

That is so extreme and unbelievable that only lunatics could believe that wouldn’t beggar our children.

[ought-six]

The destruction of the United States continues apace.

[popdonnelly]

I don’t care what the “green States” want. I’m not going to be made to pay to support their stupidity. As far as this stupid bill is concerned, it’s war.

[ought-six]

“It’s about killing off the independent citizen. It’s about making us slaves.”

Yeah, and in passing this monstrosity the stupid bastards who voted for it have just set the stage for their own removal.

[popdonnelly]

The “green States” are those which are broke or nearly broke, and run by big-spending State governments. They will soon be looking for bailouts from the rest of us.

[Hilltop]

Be a good citizen, refrain from your histrionics and embrace somnolence.

Let the state direct your steps.

[ZULU]

Prospects for Senate passage this year are uncertain.

Its in the bag.

McCain, Graham, Snowe, Collins and a few others will join Obama and his Democrats.

[shankbear]

Dipwad states. We drill for oil and they dig for gold. These windmill pipe dreams are sick. The solar crowd are dim bulbs.

Nukes, coal and oil.....works EVERY time.

[umgud]

Oh, you mean blue states.

[elpadre]

American Industries having been curbing all kinds of pollutants for many, many years. They all have sophisticated filtration systems for the discharge of smoke, steam, etc. Every major company has environmental engineers and scientists on their staff and government has been monitoring emissions for many years. I recall it being a matter of consequence in the 70’s at a small metals plant of about 1200 employees.

[FreepShop1]

Nuke can reduce emissions and we have enough gas and oil to be independent.

Nope. Won't happen. Didn't you see Brooklyn bubbie Shelley Berkeley (D-NV) on the floor today, ranting about Yucca Mountain? As if there's condos right next to it. The Dems want to kill nukes right along with coal. Meanwhile China builds dozens of coal plants and France is 87% nuclear.

We are truly f**ked.

[Principled]

... throwing hands up...