Climate bill hinders ability to compete

To the editor:

I read with interest your editorial, “We can’t let that happen, can we?” (Sept. 26, page A8). As our nation and commonwealth continue to strive to compete on a global scale, it is imperative that we remain at the forefront of innovation. It is particularly important to pay close attention to the Waxman-Markey “cap and trade” legislation, as well as the legislation that has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

Unfortunately, the goals your editorial aspires to cannot be met by the climate bills currently before Congress. These bills will hinder our ability to compete on a global scale, thus reducing our chances of leading the way in new energy technologies such as carbon capture and storage technologies.

Over the past decade, our area has witnessed significant job loss. Many of these jobs have gone to countries like China and India. Unfortunately, while these countries continue to take American jobs from our shores, Congress is attempting to place undue burdens on American business through flawed cap-and-trade legislation like Waxman-Markey.

While U.N. Climate Chief Yvo De Boer applauded the environmental efforts of China and India, their proposed standards do not hold a candle to the restrictions set forth by Waxman-Markey and similar legislation. If passed, Waxman-Markey would all but guarantee that the United States’ backbone of entrepreneurial spirit would be forever broken, ensuring we will be unable to lead the needed technological revolution.

L. JACKSON HITE

Clarksville