Senator Claire McCaskill has not stated a firm opinion about HR 2454, but has voiced concerns.
Amid the health care debate in Congress, there is an equally important bill sitting before the Senate. This is the clean energy bill, also known as the cap-and-trade bill. This clean energy bill, H.R. 2454, was passed earlier this summer by the House and championed by many in Kansas City. Kansas City is continually rated one of the worst cities in America for “green behavior”. We have a very difficult recycling and reusing policy that has increased the need for more dumps in this beautiful city.
The bill would cap the amount of emissions polluters are allowed to emit. They are also allowed to buy more and trade their allowances. This, according to supporters, encourages companies to switch to green, environmentally-friendly energy. The allowances are expected to generate nearly 1.6 trillion dollars for the federal government. Close to 700 billion dollars of that money goes back to homeowners to cover any extra expenses as a result of increased prices.
If passed, this bill would cut emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and by 83 percent by 2050. This bill would also provide money for the state: to the tune of 1.8 billion dollars. Most of this money going to the largest cities in Missouri in the form of new jobs, such as: electricians, carpenters, welders, Railroad workers, computer software engineers, construction workers and accountants. This accounts for nearly 43,000 new jobs in Missouri, reducing the 9.3 percent unemployment by nearly 2 percent. The 1.8 billion dollars also goes to energy efficient building retrofits, mass transit/freight rail, smart grids and wind, solar and advanced biofuels.
Kansas City could set a standard in going green. Northwest Missouri is one of the windiest parts of the country and is surrounded by potential biofuel investments. This sets the way for most of the 540 million dollars dedicated to advancing alternative energy to come to Kansas City and surrounding areas.
This is also a chance for Kansas City Democrats to voice their support for this bill, in order to bring an astounding amount of money and new jobs to the city. In a time when many people are questioning voting democratic next time, this is a chance to “bring home the bacon” and give these people a reason to vote for Democrats.
Information gathered from the EPA, Center for American Progress and the University of Massachusetts: Amherst.
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