Barbour writes letter to Congress

by Wally Northway

Published: September 24,2009

Tags: climate change, energy, federal government, state government

JACKSON — Gov. Haley Barbour has notified Mississippi’s Congressional delegation about his concerns on “how current energy policy and climate change proposals would raise costs for working Americans and put American businesses at a competitive disadvantage globally.”

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, also known as the Waxman-Markey bill, would raise taxes on U.S. energy producers, Barbour said. Those taxes will be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices, and the increase will drive away American jobs and investment.

“Having energy policy that purposefully raises the cost of energy is the worst thing that could be done for our economy,” Barbour said in a letter. “Policy should encourage abundant, affordable, American energy while also encouraging innovation to avoid harming the environment. The Waxman-Markey bill limits energy options and will make energy more expensive.”

In addition to raising energy costs for families and businesses, Barbour said he believes the Waxman-Markey does not reduce the country’s reliance on foreign oil. Congress should enact policy that provides energy security by reducing our dependence on imported oil, growing the economy and encouraging energy conservation and development of clean energy sources.

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