Akin Strongly Opposed To Carbon Tax Legislation

Statement

AKIN STRONGLY OPPOSED TO CARBON TAX LEGISLATION

Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO), a vocal critic of Cap and Tax legislation meant to address global warming, and who has led numerous special orders on the floor in opposition to it, stated today that some states like Missouri will be more burdened than others.

"This job killing tax will not be burdened equally geographically, and Midwestern states with less access to renewable energy and economies already hard-hit by downturns in manufacturing will be hammered more severely," said Akin. "We are about to throw more water on the economies of a growing Midwestern rustbelt."

"Our country has been struggling through a terrible economic downturn," said Akin. "It is an insult to the hard working American people, who our economic recovery depends upon, to burden them with an energy tax."

"Such a tax will kill jobs, discourage investment and is highly corrosive to an already weakened economy," said Akin. "Unions, small business, large business, homeowners, low income families and Midwesterners stand to loose big time if this legislation becomes law."

"This ill-conceived bill will drive up unemployment by exporting jobs while increasing the cost of food, heating fuel, gasoline and all manufactured products," stated Akin. "Further, with no such limitations on China and India, this should be called the China and India Economic Development Bill."

The 1,200 page Waxman- Markey climate change bill that by 2035 will raise:

Gasoline prices by 58 percent
Natural gas prices by 55 percent
Home heating oil by 56 percent
Electricity prices by 90 percent

This is one of the worst bills I have seen since I have been in Congress," said Akin.

Akin offered several amendments that would have allowed hydro and nuclear power to count as a renewable energy under the renewable electricity standard created by this bill. This new standard requires utilities to produce 20 percent of their power generation from renewable energy by 2020. Under this provision, Missouri rate payers could expect to see their rates increase significantly. Akin's amendment would have eased this burden by allowing hydropower and nuclear to count as a renewable but unfortunately, the Majority refused to entertain most of the 100 amendments offered by Republicans to this legislation.

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