[StBernard] Rep. Melancon Votes AGAINST Cap and Trade Climate Change Bill

[Westley Annis]

Dear Westley,

I'm writing to update you on the status of an important bill in Congress
many Louisianians are concerned about: the American Clean Energy and
Security Act
<http://melancon.congressnewsletter.net/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&g
piv=2100039875.42982.340&gen=1&mailing_linkid=6938>  (H.R. 2454), also known
as the "Waxman-Markey Energy Bill" or the "cap-and-trade" bill.

Last night, I voted against the bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee
because I was concerned about how it would affect Louisiana's energy workers
and industries.  While the bill still passed the committee, I was able to
include an amendment that will protect  funding  for Louisiana's wetlands
restoration from unfair cuts.  More about that below.

For those unfamiliar with the bill, the American Clean Energy and Security
Act is comprehensive energy legislation that works to reduce carbon
emissions, increase the use of renewable energy sources, invest in research
and development of new clean energy technology, and drive greater energy
efficiencies.

Many aspects of this bill have my full support. Reducing pollution and our
dependence on foreign oil will require us to make major investments today in
new technologies, efficiencies and renewable energy sources like biofuels.
I am pleased this bill sets those priorities for our nation.

But we must do so in a way that won't threaten our offshore oil and gas
industry - an industry that has provided good-paying jobs to hundreds of
thousands of workers in south Louisiana for generations.

The people of south Louisiana are on the front lines in experiencing
dangerous climate change and rising sea levels.  From the threats caused by
wetlands erosion and our disappearing coastline, to suffering through more
intense, more frequent hurricanes, we know firsthand what climate change
means.

South Louisianians want to reduce pollution in the air we breathe and the
water we drink.  We want to slow or even reverse climate change.  And we
want our nation to become more energy independent. 

While I voted against the climate change bill last night, I will still
continue working with my colleagues on a comprehensive energy policy that
will meet our shared goal of reducing pollution, while also supporting the
workers and businesses of America's Energy Coast.

Melancon Amendment Protects Wetlands Restoration Funding

While I did not support passage of the climate change bill, I am pleased
that the committee supported my amendment to protect Louisiana's share of
wetlands restoration funding from cuts indirectly caused by hurricane
disaster assistance. 

The American Clean Energy and Security Act creates a market-based
cap-and-trade system -- similar to the current system to reduce acid rain --
under which industries and utilities will buy carbon "allowances" from the
federal government. Businesses and utilities that reduce their carbon output
below the "cap" will be able to sell their extra allowances to businesses
that exceed the cap. 

The federal government will also distribute to each state a share of the
proceeds from the sale of the allowances for the states to use for wildlife
and natural resource protection and also for programs to address the effects
of climate change, like wetlands restoration projects.  

Each state's share of allowances is determined by their per capita income,
with less wealthy states receiving a greater portion.  In committee, I was
able to convince my colleagues that, due to the influx of federal recovery
dollars and insurance payments following hurricanes, Louisiana regularly
experiences an artificial spike in its per capita income.

The Melancon amendment directs that revenue directly resulting from a
presidentially declared major disaster will be excluded when calculating per
capita income for the state allowances.  This includes revenue from property
and casualty insurance, individual and family grants from FEMA, the Disaster
Housing Program of FEMA, the Community Development Block Grant Program of
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Disaster Unemployment
Assistance Program of the Department of Labor, and any other source
determined appropriate by the FEMA Administrator.

This amendment ensures that coastal states like Louisiana - those most in
need of adaptation money to rebuild their wetlands and protect themselves
from future hurricanes -- will not be punished for receiving disaster aid. I
thank Chairman Waxman and my colleagues on the committee for their
compassion and understanding in supporting its inclusion in the bill.

As your representative in Congress, I am proud to be working on behalf of
the people of south Louisiana and see great things in our future. As always,
I would like to hear from you so please feel free to write, email
<http://melancon.congressnewsletter.net/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&g
piv=2100039875.42982.340&gen=1&mailing_linkid=6939>  or call my offices and
share your opinion on the many issues we are considering in Congress.
 
Regards,
Charlie Melancon