WASHINGTON, D.C. / AUBURN, MAINE -- The vote on H.R. 2454, the "American Clean Energy And Security Act of 2009", otherwise known as "Cap & Trade", passed on a close vote, 217-205, with Congressman Michael Michaud voting in favor.
Today, Michaud issued the following statement on the passage of the Bill:
"We cannot stand for more of the same failed policies of the last few decades, where prices go up, consumers suffer, and only big business benefits.
"Maine has been a leader in the promotion of clean energy. Along with other states, Maine created the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The bill that the House passed today builds upon this initiative. It brings other areas of the country to where Maine already is, while at the same time promoting the development of clean, renewable sources of energy in Maine and nationwide.
"Most importantly, this bill will promote the research and development of clean energy that will help reinvigorate our economy with new technologies, new businesses and new jobs. And this will all be done in the United States, ultimately leading to more stable and affordable energy sources and jobs that cannot be outsourced."
Jason Levesque, of Auburn, who hopes to challenge Michaud for his House seat in the 2010 elections, calls Michaud's vote a slap in the face to the people of Maine.
"Representative Mike Michaud failed the people of Maine once again when he voted for the "cap and trade" bill in the House, adding to the financial burdens of Maine households and businesses at a time when they can least afford it. Disguised as an environmental bill, it is nothing more than one of the biggest tax increases in American history, and a job killer," said Levesque.
"This is a bad bill at any time, but in the current poor economy it is a disaster which will make things even worse for the lives of the average working family," he continued. "Mike Michaud slapped Maine people in the face by voting for drastic increases in energy costs when Maine already pays among the highest energy dollars added to the cost of electricity in their home. Mike Michaud's vote will force more Maine residents - who are already struggling to balance household budgets - to chose between heating their homes in our cold Maine winters, or putting food on their family table."
Michaud, however, cites the passage of a biomass amendment to the bill as a strong point.
"I was pleased that the House passed an amendment to the bill that I pushed. The amendment makes sure that biomass power producers, including Maine's pulp and paper facilities, will be recognized for their production of renewable energy," Michaud said in his statement. "This could mean an expansion of this locally produced clean energy sector and the creation of new jobs. The more utilities rely on renewable power in the future, the more this source of energy will be in demand in the coming years. This will help put Maine and other similarly situated states in a good position to benefit from a clean energy transition."
However, Levesque does not believe that Mainers, and Maine businesses, can afford this bill, stating that the bill represented a "death sentence for many Maine businesses struggling to survive, due to the high energy costs, and will put even more Maine people out of work."
The National Association of Manufacturers estimates that between three- and four-million jobs will be lost as a result of this bill.
While Michaud insists that he acted out of concern for the environment and in the interests of Maine working people, Levesque believe that he acted, instead, out of partisanship.
"Each year, U.S. forests and forest products capture and store 10 percent of all U.S. carbon emissions - a critical contribution toward mitigating climate change," said Michaud. "More than 250,000 Maine families and individuals are small forest landowners and they collectively own more than 6.2 million acres, the largest share of our state's forests. Many of these landowners engage in sustainable forestry practices that not only keep our forests healthy, but contribute to reductions in greenhouse gases.
"Under this bill, sustainable agricultural practices and projects will be eligible for credits, which companies who pollute will need to purchase to offset their emissions. I was pleased that during a colloquy on the House floor that I was able to work with congressional leaders to clarify that these practices will include sustainable forestry. Because of this, the congressional intent is clear that Maine's small forest landowners will be part of our clean energy future.
"The United States can't afford to fall behind other countries. Right now in the state of Maine, we are conducting groundbreaking research and working on tidal energy and wind power. And we’re making serious strides towards massive offshore wind power development. This legislation will help us get there by promoting the incentives to move our country forward towards a clean energy future."
Levesque counters that Michaud's vote today will make it more difficult for Maine people to get to work as the costs at the pump rise, and that the increased fuel taxes will add to the manufacturing and delivery costs, making even essential purchases more expensive for the budgets of Maine families.
"Mike Michaud acted out of partisanship rather than as an advocate for Maine working families and the Maine businesses which provide their jobs," said Levesque. "It is about ideology, and Mike Michaud showed his true colors by marching in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi, Henry Waxman, and Democrat bosses for a big government intrusion into a vital aspect of American life."
According to the Wall Street Journal: "The whole point of cap and trade is to hike the price of electricity and gas so that Americans will use less. These higher prices will show up not just in electricity bills or at the gas station but in every manufactured good, from food to cars. Consumers will cut back on spending, which in turn will cut back on production, which results in fewer jobs created or higher unemployment."
