Adkins Testifies On Carbon Emissions Regulations
A rush to pass burdensome federal regulations on carbon emissions could lead to severe financial consequences for the nation, the state House's Energy chairman testified on Thursday in Washington, D.C.
"There does not seem to be agreement on the issue of climate change, and yet there seems to be a great rush to action," said Rep. Dennis Adkins (R-Broken Arrow). "Without the facts, I think it would be very possible to pass federal legislation or legislation in the states that might cost people substantially."
Adkins, chairman of the Oklahoma House Committee on Energy and Technology, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Senators in the committee held a hearing Thursday on state, regional and local perspectives on global warming. Adkins pointed to advances in renewable energy in states like Oklahoma, where utilities are becoming leaders in wind power. But he said while states like Oklahoma continue to lead the way in areas like biofuels and wind power, these can only provide limited power supply for the nation.
"Oklahomans realize we need a diverse energy supply making use of clean coal, natural gas and renewable sources with limited constraints on development and economic impacts," said Adkins. "But regardless of investments in renewable fuels, these will only provide a small part of total electric power to our nation."
Adkins made it clear in his testimony that he is not a scientist or an expert in the debate over climate change. As a state lawmaker, he told senators he is concerned about burdensome regulations that could harm the economy without actually addressing climate change. "I do not wish to be misunderstood and simply labeled a naysayer, but a rush to pass legislation addressing climate change may simply put more burden on the economy without solving climate change," said Adkins.
Adkins contended that regulations could drive up the cost of energy prices across the nation, creating a hidden tax in the form of higher home utility bills, higher gasoline prices, and increased costs of consumer products and services. "We should carefully weigh the proposed benefits of any action to the impact it will have on our citizens' pocketbooks and our economy, as well as the environment," he said.
"There does not seem to be agreement on the issue of climate change, and yet there seems to be a great rush to action," said Rep. Dennis Adkins (R-Broken Arrow). "Without the facts, I think it would be very possible to pass federal legislation or legislation in the states that might cost people substantially."
Adkins, chairman of the Oklahoma House Committee on Energy and Technology, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Senators in the committee held a hearing Thursday on state, regional and local perspectives on global warming. Adkins pointed to advances in renewable energy in states like Oklahoma, where utilities are becoming leaders in wind power. But he said while states like Oklahoma continue to lead the way in areas like biofuels and wind power, these can only provide limited power supply for the nation.
"Oklahomans realize we need a diverse energy supply making use of clean coal, natural gas and renewable sources with limited constraints on development and economic impacts," said Adkins. "But regardless of investments in renewable fuels, these will only provide a small part of total electric power to our nation."
Adkins made it clear in his testimony that he is not a scientist or an expert in the debate over climate change. As a state lawmaker, he told senators he is concerned about burdensome regulations that could harm the economy without actually addressing climate change. "I do not wish to be misunderstood and simply labeled a naysayer, but a rush to pass legislation addressing climate change may simply put more burden on the economy without solving climate change," said Adkins.
Adkins contended that regulations could drive up the cost of energy prices across the nation, creating a hidden tax in the form of higher home utility bills, higher gasoline prices, and increased costs of consumer products and services. "We should carefully weigh the proposed benefits of any action to the impact it will have on our citizens' pocketbooks and our economy, as well as the environment," he said.
Labels: Dennis Adkins, Global Warming
posted by Mike McCarville @ 10:57 PM
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