Reading Between the Lines, DC Style

Dear (NeonLeon):

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns on environmental issues and global warming. I appreciate your thoughts and concerns over this issue.

I happen to believe that our earth is getting dangerously warmer as a result of human activities. In spite of the complete lack of evidence:  More KoolAid, anyone? Even if one disputes this point, we can all agree that decreasing our dependence on foreign oil is critical to America's long-term energy security. That is precisely why the Carter Administration created the Department of Energy over 40 years ago.  So far, "the system works," right? No new offshore drilling, no new refineries, no drilling ANYWHERE in mainland USA:  really gigantic steps toward oil independence. As a farmer and a steward of the earth, I also believe that we should strive to leave our planet better off for the next generation. And we should confiscate inheritances to "spread the wealth around." Recently the House of Representatives took a dramatic step to combat global warming and securing energy independence by passing, The American Clean Energy and Security Act, (commonly referred to as Cap-and-Trade,  the energy-usage unlimited tax act). This bill took unprecedented steps to limit carbon emissions while potentially creating millions of clean energy jobs in numerous American energy sectors including wind, wave, solar, geothermal, waste to energy, and renewable biomass.  Of course, most, if not all, of the manufacturing for these "green" facilities will be done by our "friends" in China.  And you are already seeing the 20% (so far) rate increase proposals for wind-generated electrical power.  Propane, Natural Gas, Gasoline and Diesel can't be far behind.  Then you can heat your home by wearing woolen underwear, and drive your oxcart to work, if you still have a job in 2012.  Let's all party like it's 1639!!

I take particular pride in authoring a better definition of biomass that puts rural America to work removing dead and diseased trees that burn up every year in catastrophic wildfires across the American west (without allowing the use of any unsavory practices like logging or harvesting the trees, for example). I was also pleased with some of the cost saving measures within the bill. Included provisions would help protect us from exorbitant price increases by allocating over 50 percent of the free carbon allowances to electricity, natural gas, home heating oil, and propane providers with the express mandate they be used to keep rate and price increases down for consumers. So far, a 100% failure.  But it worked on paper.  And a 20% rate increase doesn't seem so exorbitant when you compare it to this year's Congressional spending increases.

Many Americans have also expressed concern over the recent information obtained through the computer hacking of the Climate Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia. Illegal information obtained through this incident showed certain scientists doubting man-made global warming. I believe that the entire incident, including the hacking, should be investigated. Perhaps, now that Charlie Rangel has some spare time before sentencing, he could lead such an investigation:  he's awfully clever with numbers, after all...However, these events in no way undermine my belief that we need to pursue energy independence and be good stewards of our planet while we are here.

Thank you again for contacting me and I hope you keep in touch on issues that are important to you.  You may count on it, Sir, particularly next November.

Sincerely,

Z orro?  ZORRO???  wow.

KURT SCHRADER

Member of Congress

This entire post, including my comments, was forwarded to Mr .    Schrader's office via e-mail.