Cap and Trade

While global warming is a complex and controversial issue, there remain uncertainties concerning the cause and effect of climate change. It is difficult to address national and international environmental policies because of the lines built up by both supporters and opponents of climate change. Compromise on both sides of the issue will certainly be key. I do not believe it is in the best interest of the United States to unilaterally undertake mandatory carbon dioxide emission reductions until other nations agree to do the same. Any unilateral United States reductions in greenhouse gas emission will simply be offset by emissions from largely populated countries like Brazil, China and India, thereby not improving the global environment.

The state of Kansas generates over 70 percent of its electricity from coal. I have great concern that the current carbon reduction mandates being imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency will force the end user and average Kansan to pay substantially more in energy and transportation costs with no additional environmental benefit.