Norm's Response On Cap & Trade

go to www.NoCap&Trade.com for more information

Senator Coleman's response to his constituents about his support for the Warner-Lieberman bill.

"Dear Mr. Smith:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding global climate change. While we may disagree about this climate change bill, we agree on the importance of American jobs. In fact, I worked hard to include important provisions in the bill to protect middle class jobs.

I firmly believe the time for arguing about the evidence of climate change is over. We know humans are emitting substantial greenhouse gases into the air, and we know the world is getting warmer - eight of the last ten years are among the warmest on record. Instead of debating the degree of the problem, I believe it is time to craft a solution that addresses the problem without putting America's workers at a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the world or send manufacturing jobs overseas.

I support efforts to address climate change, but not at the expense of American jobs. That is why before joining as a cosponsor to the America's Climate Security Act (S. 2191), I made clear in a colloquy on the Senate Floor with Senator Lieberman that the final bill produced by the Senate must protect America's workers and ensure China and India are taking comparable efforts.

In order to protect Minnesota manufacturing jobs from competition from countries without comparable climate change policies, the bill authorizes the President to require importers of greenhouse-gas-intensive manufactured products to submit emissions credits if their home countries do not take action. A Carbon Market Efficiency Board would also be established to observe the allowance market and implement cost-relief measures if necessary. Meanwhile, the legislation also invests an estimated $400 billion through 2030 in zero- and low-carbon technologies to accelerate our transition to a new energy future. Finally, this bill would provide an estimated $275 billion for low and middle income families to help hold them harmless against increased energy costs.

While we may disagree at times, I always appreciate hearing from you.