Environmental advocates immediately hailed the House of Representatives for the
excrutiatingly close approval (219-212) of the
American Clean Energy and Security Act late Friday.
But what some called a landmark, others have called
one of the largest tax increases in American history. Even the Obama administration admits it will cost the average
household about 44 cents a day more.
The Senate, however, still needs to approve the wide-ranging legislation in the
fall. Nathan Willcox of PennEnvironment yesterday gauged that potential as well
as the legislation's intent.
How will Pennsylvania's senators vote later this year, considering the
state's reliance on the coal industry?
This is a state largely built on coal, but at same time, a lot of clean energy
solutions like wind and solar that this would promote is taking hold in the
state right now. While a Reublican, [Sen. Arlen]
Specter had a reputation as a moderate on environmental issues. And Bob Casey
has a pretty good record thus far. From our meetings with them, they both want
to act on global warming and both want to promote reneweable
energy. But at end of day, it’s no secret they will get lobbied heavily
by the coal industry.
What should people who fear for their jobs take from this?
Any claims this is goning lead to mass unemployment
is just not true. The coal industry and utilities get enormous handouts in this
bill and there’s also going to be a huge pot of money for worker
retraining.
Brian X. McCrone
