On Jul 21, 2009, at 8:51 AM, <correspondence_reply@webb.senate.gov> <correspondence_reply@webb.senate.gov> wrote:

 

July 20, 2009

 

Mr.  James Hull

 

Dear Mr. Hull:

 

            Thank you for contacting my office with your concerns regarding climate change and legislative proposals for addressing it.  I appreciate your taking the time to share your views with me.

 

Legislation to address climate change has potentially large repercussions for our economy, and as such, it deserves to be fully vetted and debated.  Some of the current proposed mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including cap and trade, suffer from inefficiency, potentially high consumer costs, and would require excessively large bureaucracies to administer.  These concerns should be addressed prior to the enactment of cap and trade legislation.

 

The centerpiece of any climate policy must encourage the development of clean energy sources and carbon-mitigating technologies.  We should explore mechanisms to combat global climate change that will incentivize factory owners, manufacturers, and consumers to become more energy efficient.  We should also fund research and development for technologies that will enable clean use of this country’s vast fossil fuel resources.

 

Climate policy must also be fair.  This problem is global, and a comprehensive solution must include all major emitters.  Whatever climate policy we pursue, it should not undercut and displace American workers in the global marketplace.  Here at home, we must ensure that the policy is fair across all regions of this nation, does not disadvantage the citizens of one state against another, and does not become a regressive tax on those facing economic hardship.

 

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454) on June 26, 2009.  As the U.S. Senate considers various proposals, I believe strongly that these principles can be applied in a way that preserves our environment while simultaneously fostering jobs and economic growth.  Please be assured that my staff and I will keep your views in mind.  Thank you for your correspondence on this issue of national and global importance.  Please do not hesitate to contact me and my staff in the future. 

 

I would also invite you to visit my website at www.webb.senate.gov for regular updates about my activities and positions on matters that are important to Virginia and our nation.

 

Thank you once again for contacting my office. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Webb

United States Senator

 

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