"But to truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America. And to support that innovation, we will invest fifteen billion dollars a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks built right here in America."
-- Barrack Obama speech before joint session of US Congress and all nine Justices, February 24, 2009.
Note that a carbon cap is absolutely necessary, and I could feel the collective sense of release, "finally!", as policy certainty began to solidify underfoot. Even the coal industry has been begging for just this certainty, and Barrack is delivering. But "cap and trade" is the weaker of two brothers...Germany has pulled ahead of us by welcoming the stronger. You may have expected me here to say "carbon tax", but no, I am referring instead to proactive and temporary price supports... Mandated pluses (and minuses) to the cost of energy based upon preference for least carbonated atmosphere and most healthy planet.
"...living our values doesn't make us weaker, it makes us safer and it makes us stronger." That's OUR President.
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