Cap and Trade, R.I.P.

"Bingaman: Cap and trade bill unlikely this year
"Posted on January 5, 2010 at 12:03 PM
"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chairman says it's unclear whether Congress will be able to pass cap and trade legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions this year.
"Sen. Jeff Bingaman said Tuesday there's no consensus on what form a cap and trade system would take.
"The New Mexico Democrat says there's a strong desire in both chambers to pass other energy-related bills that would reduce emissions. Carbon emissions are blamed for global warming.
"Bingaman was in Albuquerque to tour Schott Solar Inc.'s manufacturing plant, where both photovoltaic panels and thermal receivers for solar power plants are produced.
"Schott officials say state and federal policies are helping set the stage for their success, as well as the nation's transition to renewable energy."
Well, folks, it looks like cap and trade will not become law in 2010. I know that is a big disappointment to you "politically correct" folks. I live in a coal mining belt. Shutting down the coal mines, like "cap and trade" mandates, would cause widespread unemployment in the coal mining regions of the U.S., including Eastern Kentucky.
On a more personal note, it is 22 degrees F outside my office, my driveway is white and covered with about an inch of snow, and my two kids are out of school for the third day in a row tomorrow because school is cancelled because of the snow and cold weather. According to another blog, we are now having the coldest winter in thirty years. Even Great Britain is having trouble with the weather, as they are short of heating gas.
Cap and Trade, Rest in Peace. It seems that the U.S. Congress will not pass it in 2010. I'm glad. I'm the friend of the coal miner. I hope they all have jobs for a long time in the future. I oppose legislation that taxes the coal miners to finance windmills and other "green" forms of energy production. Yes, let the free market operate freely, and if windmills and reflection mirrors can produce electricity more efficiently than coal, then they should win out. In the 1800's the leading source on energy in the U.S. was wood. Now, it is coal. Kentucky is a major coal-producing state. Coal is what keeps the lights on. I'm on the side of the coal miners and would support legislation to help the coal industry compete on an equal footing with the windmills and reflection mirrors that the "green" people want the government to finance. Sometimes, what is best for the working people of Eastern Kentucky is not politically expedient, but I'm for what is best for the working people of Eastern Kentucky, and it is not "cap and trade" taxing of carbon dioxide emissions. Kenneth Stepp.