Cap-and-trade bill draws Napa protest

By BILL KISLIUK
Register Editor

A group of protesters gathered early Monday morning outside the Napa office of Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, decrying his vote in support of a carbon cap-and-trade measure designed to reduce carbon emissions.

The bill, which passed in the House on a narrow 219-212 vote on Friday, for the first time places national limits on emissions of heat-trapping gases from factories, power plants and other sources.

These entities will be issued permits limiting the amount of greenhouse gases they can generate. They then are compelled to curb production of greenhouse gases by using new, cleaner technologies, trading or buying emission credits from other producers or offsetting the amount of gases they emit by investing in pollution-reduction programs on sites away from their plants. The bill would require the United States to reduce emissions by one-sixth by 2020.

The 10 or so demonstrators challenged the science that supports the theory of global warming, challenged the utility of cap-and-trade legislation and wondered aloud whether Thompson had read the full measure that was approved by the House on Friday.

Marjorie Preston, one of about 10 demonstrators who hoisted American flags outside Thompson’s office, said she believes the legislation is flawed because it is a unilateral move by the United States and that there is nothing to compel other industrialized nations, specifically China and India, to address carbon emissions. “It is hurting us and not helping the environment,” said Preston.

The protest was pulled together after Friday’s House vote through e-mail and phone calls by Pam Silleman, the key organizer of the April 15 Tea Party tax protests, and others.

Mark Gasster, a member of the Napa County Republican Central Committee, said cap-and-trade has handcuffed the economies of those countries that have implemented similar legislation.

Demonstrator Jeff Erickson said he feels that this legislation and other Obama administration policies are taking the country in the wrong direction, “killing the engine of capitalism that has helped us become a great country.”

He also questioned whether Thompson had read the full bill, including a 300-page amendment introduced on the day of the vote.

“Even if you agree with everything (positive) that is said about cap-and-trade, to vote on something you haven’t read and digested is wrong,” said Erickson.

Thompson’s Washington, D.C., office issued a statement in which Thompson explained the need for the legislation.

“We must tackle the issue of climate change in order to position our economy for long-term health, and make sure that our grandchildren have the opportunity to enjoy the natural resources we do today,” Thompson said in a prepared statement. “If enacted, this bill will create up to 1.7 million new jobs in clean energy, and help us move away from our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Although this legislation is not perfect, the House’s historic passage of climate change legislation today will allow our efforts to continue, so that we can pass a law that will protect our planet, spur American entrepreneurship, and put our economy on track for long-term sustainability.”

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