Local WSIU
(2009-06-29)
WASHINGTON, D.C.
(wsiu) -
Many environmentalists are cheering and farmers are booing U.S. House passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, also known as the "cap and trade" bill.Southern Illinois Congressman John Shimkus voted "no," saying the bill would hurt the coal industry and farmers, who he says will be hit with higher fuel costs.
Shimkus says electricity and gasoline prices would jump when the bill is fully in effect, which he says would be disastrous for parts of Illinois, mostly in the southern part of the state, which rely on coal for electricity.
National Wildlife Federation president and CEO Larry Schweiger touts provision in the measure to encourage alternative energy sources-like wind and methane-rather than reliance on coal and the resulting greenhouse gases. He thinks agriculture groups are slowly becoming more interested in the bill.
The cap and trade bill must still pass the U.S. Senate.
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