American Clean Energy and Security Act

America needs an energy policy that grows our economy and our jobs.
 

Last summer the rising costs at the gas pumps had Americans buzzing. Vacation plans were put on hold and long commutes to work became a much larger expense for workers and families.  In some areas of the country, minor disruptions to supply actually caused shortages that led to long lines or gas station closures, reminiscent of scenes from the energy crisis in the early 1970s. Although prices have since dropped and supplies have remained steady since then, the affordability and availability of our energy sources remains important.  

The federal government is currently considering legislation intended to address energy and the environment by reducing U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases like CO2. Legislation is being considered as an alternative to regulation of greenhouse gas emissions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that EPA has that authority, and EPA has provided notice that it is pursuing the development of regulations. Climate action by EPA isn’t equivalent to climate action by Congress, as the Clean Air Act does not expressly authorize EPA to consider the impact of regulatory action on employment, consumer costs or the economy.

The legislation currently under consideration, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), requires electric utilities, manufacturing plants, refineries and other companies and facilities to buy permits for emissions from the federal government. The Government would over time, limit the number of permits sold to cut emissions.

Affordable and reliable energy is essential to the long-term health of the U.S. economy and the prosperity of American workers.  We need national energy policies that promote the development of all forms of energy – and recognize that oil and natural gas must continue to play an important role in this nation’s energy future. The solution must include a combination of coal, oil, gas, wind and nuclear energy.

Any effective energy policy must also not unfairly penalize individual states like Ohio, or put them at a competitive disadvantage.
 

Addressing climate change will increase the energy costs for every consumer in America for years to come, and could negatively impact an already struggling American economy -- and the energy industry that supports more than 6 million American jobs. Data shows that Ohio consumers and employers will also suffer greater negative impacts than other states under the current proposal. Increasing taxes on energy sources will:      

• Hinder economic recovery in Ohio and America
• Threaten hundreds of thousands of American jobs  
• Limit our supplies of American domestic energy, pushing up consumer prices for gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, and natural gas used to heat our homes and cook our meals 
• Increase our reliance on imported oil and send American jobs overseas 
• Reduce investment in new U.S.-based energy supplies 
• Reduce local, state and federal revenue  
• Hamstring efforts to address environmental concerns by discouraging the use of clean-burning natural gas

With worldwide energy consumption expected to grow by 50 percent over the next 20 years, we need all the affordable energy that we can develop, including oil and natural gas. America's future is dependent on an uninterrupted, adequate, affordable fuel supply. Expansion of exploration and delivery of domestic oil, natural gas and coal supplies must be encouraged.  We must also continue to develop new, alternative energy sources to complement these traditional sources.

As individuals, it is important to live reasonable lifestyles and do our part to protect our environment. Simple tasks such as recycling, turning off lights when leaving a room or car-pooling with a friend to work can make an impact in the future.

The President and some members of Congress are proposing $400 billion in new energy taxes and fees.  They threaten not only domestic supplies of oil and natural gas, but existing and new jobs -- while increasing our dependence on foreign oil.

Comprehensive changes to energy policy could increase the energy costs for every consumer in America for years to come.  But higher energy costs are not inevitable. There is still time for action.

The U.S. House of Representatives has already voted on increasing energy costs to both consumers and employers. The Senate will be considering legislation soon, so it is important to contact your Senators asking them to protect consumers’ rights to participate in a competitive energy marketplace. This includes promoting an expansion of alternative energy sources and a combination of coal, oil, gas, wind and nuclear power.

Take action

Say 'No' to new energy taxes. View a short video to learn more about how energy proposals could lead to new taxes for Ohioans, and how you can take action.

Information to help you learn more about energy proposals