The Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently completed an analysis of S. 139, a climate change bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), and cosponsored by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), along with 5 others. Simply put, S. 139 would implement the Kyoto Protocol, the flawed, unworkable international global warming treaty that the Senate effectively rejected, 95 to 0. EIA found that S. 139, just like Kyoto, would have disastrous effects on the U.S. economy.
And to what end?
According to the Energy Information Administration, S. 139 will increase electricity prices 9 percent in 2010 and 46 percent in 2025. The average household's energy bill, including the fuel cost of personal transportation, is expected to increase by $444 (13 percent) per year in 2025.
EFFECT: Tom Mullen, president of Cleveland Catholic Charities, told the EPW Committee on June 12, 2002, that dramatic increases in electricity and energy prices, of the kind predicted because of S. 139, would have severe impacts on low-income populations, especially poor children: "The group that I have real concern for and will be hurt similarly by [high electricity and energy prices] is children. In Cleveland, over one-fourth of all children live in poverty and are in a family of a single female head of household. These children will suffer further loss of basic needs as their moms are forced to make choices of whether to pay the rent or live in a shelter; pay the heating bill or see their child freeze; buy food or risk the availability of a hunger center. These are not choices any senior citizen, child, or, for that matter, person in America should make."
