Rogers Demands Answers from EPA Administrator

In case you missed it, Kentucky Fifth District Congressman Hal Rogers took EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to task for the wrong-headed and out-of-control actions of her agency in the Obama/EPA 'War on Coal'.

EPA's Clean Air ruling lashes coal-producing Kentucky

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency's declaration Monday that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions endanger the public's health could deeply impact Kentucky's multimillion-dollar coal economy.

The announcement, which comes as an historic climate change conference gets underway in Copenhagen, could set the groundwork for broader cap-and-trade policies in the United State — the kinds of policies the state's coal companies and most of the state's congressional delegation have long tried to block.

“What his arbitrary administrative edict would do is what Congress has refused to do statutorily — tell coal-burning utilities how much, or little, coal can be burned,” said Rep. Hal Rogers, a Republican. “It could prove devastating to Kentucky’s coal industry and cause havoc to our working men and women of eastern Kentucky.”

Meanwhile, Kentucky environmentalists lauded the EPA’s announcement as a first step toward addressing global warming and curbing pollution.

For the full story click here.

Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY) on Cap and Trade

"Hello. This is Congressman Hal Rogers.

"As we head into September I wanted to bring yourattention to an important issue that will be facing the Congress in theupcoming months. "Cap and Trade" is a bill that passed the House inJune without my support and is now up for debate in the U.S. Senate.Though the bill claims to protect our environment, in reality it isnothing more than a $646 billion "carbon tax" paid by every American,rich or poor and every business, small or large. Every time you turn onyour lights, the tax would begin.

"I don't need to remind you that gas prices are alreadyrising and utility rates are going up. With nearly 11% unemployment inKentucky, its no secret that our people are hurting.

"Yet despite the hard times America is in, PresidentObama and Speaker Pelosi are determined to pass this "Cap and Trade"bill that will charge consumers a fee just for turning on the lights,driving to work, or heating their home in the winter.

"Even worse, Kentucky will be hit the worst from thisboondoggle because 95% of our power comes from coal, and this bill takesdead aim at coal. If this "Cap and Trade" bill becomes law, we will gofrom the lowest electricity rates in the nation, to the highest - anestimated increase of hundreds of dollars a year when fully implemented.

"Kentuckians can't afford this national energy tax, nordo they want it; rather, the people of Kentucky want energyindependence. That means sound investments in alternative energytechnologies like clean coal, natural gas, and nuclear. It meanspassing an affordable energy plan that breaks our dependence on foreignoil and unlocks the vast energy resources sitting untapped on Americansoil and our coastlines."

"Let me know how you feel. Visit my website at halrogers.house.gov."