Power Companies, Congress and Emissions

Will the recently elected Democratic Congress have the cojones to pass tighter carbon emissions restrictions for utility companies? How about a carbon tax as a stimulus for change? The sale of power companies like TXU in Texas to greener ownership is a tremendous step in the right direction, but tougher emissions legislation is still needed. The technology to trap the carbon emissions from power plants exists, but it’s expensive. The question is economics. Can power companies upgrade existing plants and make emissions from new plants cleaner? The answer is yes. But will the economic or legislative motivations be there for the plants to do so? Maybe. Will consumers pay a little more for clean power…time will tell.

Midwestern power companies spew harmful emissions containing mercury, sulphur and sulfuric acid (acid rain) onto downwind states in the northeast in clear violation of the existing Clean Air Act. Moves by the Clinton administration to hold power companies to the letter of the law have been subverted and undermined by the Bush administration. Does Congress have the will and the votes to cleanup the emissions mess if the cost of doing so hits the American voter in the pocketbook? We’ll see. Never forget the propensity for politicians to avoid tough decisions.

Let them know how you feel.

Here’s a great site to use if you want to let your local, state, or federal representatives (including the prez) know how you feel about an issue. By taking some action you just might feel better. Cough!

send your legislator a message @ Congress.org

find more on carbon taxes @ carbontax.org