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, as a result of the projected reduction in coal use, coal employment is expected to decline dramatically because of S. 139. The bill would eliminate over 50,000 coal industry jobs.
EFFECT: During testimony before the House Resources Committee on May 13, 2003, Robert Murray, CEO of Murray Energy, discussed the importance of a viable coal industry to men and women in coal-producing regions. As Murray said, they are "desperate for good paying and well-benefited jobs. Our people just want to earn a reasonable living with honor and dignity. Our young people want to stay in the area and have good employment. Many times grown men and women have broken down and cried in my office when I told them that we had a job for them. They know that, with the high pay and excellent benefits provided by coal mining, they can build the lives of their dreams, be with their families, and retire with dignity."
