David Broder is reporting for Green, Inc. on the New York Times website that a group of ten democratic senators representing states in the country’s so-call “rust belt” or “manufacturing belt” region. This region encompasses Northeastern states, states from the Mid-Atlantic, and states in the Great Lakes region.According to Broder’s article, these Senators, in a letter to the Obama Administration, expressed their view that they cannot accept and domestic climate change legislation that does not protect American industries from companies located in countries that do not have similar restrictions on the emission of greenhouse gases.
The Senators suggested the legislation could be improved by providing rebates on energy costs for companies transitioning from energy-intensive manufacturing process. They also expressed the need for a strong international agreement on emissions; a way to monitor foreign emissions, and a desire to see larger tariffs on imports from countries that are not part of an international coalition to reduce carbon dioxide emission across the globe. They argue this will help ensure the “’climate change legislation will be trade neutral and environmentally effective,’” and will not make American-made goods prohibitively more expensive than their foreign counterparts.
The manufacturing state Senators point out that the manufacturing industry accounts for over 10% of the economy. They also argue that manufacturing accounts for 3/4s of the nation’s research and development. Their fear is that legislation that does not meet the needs of their constituents will lead to future job losses and the increased costs of goods. The Senators who signed the letter will be critical to whether or not a climate change bill can pass the United States Senate.
The manufacturing state Senators point out that the manufacturing industry accounts for over 10% of the economy. They also argue that manufacturing accounts for 3/4s of the nation’s research and development. Their fear is that legislation that does not meet the needs of their constituents will lead to future job losses and the increased costs of goods. The Senators who signed the letter will be critical to whether or not a climate change bill can pass the United States Senate.
To read their letter to the Obama Administration click here. To read Mr. Broder’s article in the New York Times click here. To read previous blog posts on climate change legislation click here.
Posted: 08/07/09
