The Energy Citizens coalition, a group of 15 business and conservative advocacy organizations, is set to begin it rallies today, August 18, 2009, against the cap and trade legislation moving through Congress. The cap and trade bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependence in an effort to combat global warming. Among the members of the coalition are the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Association of Manufacturers, FreedomWorks, and the American Petroleum Institute.According to an article on the Farm Futures website, the first rally is scheduled to be held in Houston, TX. The Energy Citizens coalition got the idea for the rallies from the industry-led rallies over the proposed healthcare legislation currently being held in Congressional town hall meetings across the country. As Farm Futures reports, the targets of the rallies are Senators viewed as swing votes.
The majority of the Senators represent either farm, coal producing, or manufacturing states. The thought is that industries in these states stand the most to lose from any cap and trade legislation that becomes law. Rallies are scheduled for New Mexico, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Senators from manufacturing states and agricultural states have already expressed concerns about the impact of potential cap and trade legislation. The cap and trade provision aims to set limits on carbon emissions. Emission allowances to polluters would also be bought and sold on a cap and trade market under the legislation.
To see a previous United States Agriculture and Food Law and Policy Blog post on this effort click here.
To see a previous United States Agriculture and Food Law and Policy Blog post on this effort click here.
To read the Farm Futures story click here.
Posted: 08/18/09
