There are going to be lots of numbers bandied about when Congress starts to debate possible legislation addressing the problems of energy, greenhouse gases, and climate change. Opponents of the legislation will claim that the costs to individuals will be too high, it’s a good thing for those of us on the other side that there’s also information to the contrary.
Strong, comprehensive climate and energy legislation likely would reduce energy bills, not increase them, finds a new analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Based on a U.S. Department of Energy modeling system, the analysis performed by the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that combining a carbon dioxide cap-and-trade program with energy and transportation policies would result in “dramatic emissions reductions” and net savings for the typical U.S. household of $300 per year in 2020 and $900 per year in 2030.
That’s based on an analysis of legislation being proposed by Representatives Henry Waxman and Edwin Markey. Of course, such an analysis is open to dispute and you can bet it will be disputed.
A good thing, then, that recent polls show support for legilation even if it would raise people’s energy bills.
Public opinion surveys by ABC News/Washington Post and NBC News/Wall Street Journal conducted in April found that a majority supports climate and energy legislation even if it would increase energy costs.
The battle over the Waxman – Markey bill is going to be huge. Looming in the background is the threat that the EPA could go ahead and regulate greenhouse gases on its own under the Clean Air Act. That threat, and public support for legislation just might be enough to get a bill through Congress, despite what will no doubt be fierce opposition from the economic powers that be.
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