EWG says climate change more costly than bill
MITCHELL, S.D. (The
> Associated Press) - Oct 10
>
> A Washington-based research organization says climate change will
> cost farmers far more than pending legislation aimed at curtailing it.
>
> The Environmental Working Group report singled out U.S. Sen. John
> Thune as one of the "leaders in the agricultural community" who are
> "shouting that the wolf is at the door."
>
> "Instead of wringing our hands about the negligible costs of a
> climate bill, Congress should be very worried about how much climate
> change will cost farmers, our food supply and the environment," the
> report said.
>
> The House passed a climate-change bill by seven votes in June and
> the debate has moved over to the Senate. The legislation proposes a
> cap on greenhouse-gas emissions from air polluters like power plants
> and industrial factories, and a system for the buying and selling of
> emission allowances.
>
> Higher emitters would face greater costs and would therefore have
> an incentive to reduce emissions, according to the logic behind the
> effort. The goal is to cut down on greenhouse gases thought to be
> contributing to global climate change.
>
> Thune has spoken out repeatedly against the legislation.
>
> The South Dakota Republican said the potential costs imposed on
> polluters by the climate-change legislation would be passed on to
> consumers in the form of increased prices for things such as
> electricity, gasoline, diesel and fertilizer. Farmers, who rely
> heavily on energy, could be especially hard-hit if that happens, Thune
> has said.
>
> The EWG said the cost of inaction on climate change could be
> devastating.
>
> "The projected cost increases caused by the climate bill are so
> small they would be lost in the background noise caused by annual
> swings in farm income from yield variation, crop prices and the cost
> of seed and chemicals," the EWG report said. "A fertilizer spreader or
> herbicide sprayer that is out of adjustment would cost farmers more."
>
> Thune's Democratic colleague, Sen. Tim Johnson, has said he is
> optimistic about the economic potential of the legislation.
>
> "I am optimistic we can turn energy potential into reality and
> help create new job opportunities at home by producing more clean
> energy in the United States," he wrote in an August op-ed piece.
>
> Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin voted against the House
> climate-change legislation because of "concerns about the negative
> effects it could have on South Dakota families and businesses, as well
> as the rushed process for consideration," she said in a June news
> release.
>
> But she added that she believes it's imperative for Congress to
> address climate change.
>
> Associated Press) - Oct 10
>
> A Washington-based research organization says climate change will
> cost farmers far more than pending legislation aimed at curtailing it.
>
> The Environmental Working Group report singled out U.S. Sen. John
> Thune as one of the "leaders in the agricultural community" who are
> "shouting that the wolf is at the door."
>
> "Instead of wringing our hands about the negligible costs of a
> climate bill, Congress should be very worried about how much climate
> change will cost farmers, our food supply and the environment," the
> report said.
>
> The House passed a climate-change bill by seven votes in June and
> the debate has moved over to the Senate. The legislation proposes a
> cap on greenhouse-gas emissions from air polluters like power plants
> and industrial factories, and a system for the buying and selling of
> emission allowances.
>
> Higher emitters would face greater costs and would therefore have
> an incentive to reduce emissions, according to the logic behind the
> effort. The goal is to cut down on greenhouse gases thought to be
> contributing to global climate change.
>
> Thune has spoken out repeatedly against the legislation.
>
> The South Dakota Republican said the potential costs imposed on
> polluters by the climate-change legislation would be passed on to
> consumers in the form of increased prices for things such as
> electricity, gasoline, diesel and fertilizer. Farmers, who rely
> heavily on energy, could be especially hard-hit if that happens, Thune
> has said.
>
> The EWG said the cost of inaction on climate change could be
> devastating.
>
> "The projected cost increases caused by the climate bill are so
> small they would be lost in the background noise caused by annual
> swings in farm income from yield variation, crop prices and the cost
> of seed and chemicals," the EWG report said. "A fertilizer spreader or
> herbicide sprayer that is out of adjustment would cost farmers more."
>
> Thune's Democratic colleague, Sen. Tim Johnson, has said he is
> optimistic about the economic potential of the legislation.
>
> "I am optimistic we can turn energy potential into reality and
> help create new job opportunities at home by producing more clean
> energy in the United States," he wrote in an August op-ed piece.
>
> Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin voted against the House
> climate-change legislation because of "concerns about the negative
> effects it could have on South Dakota families and businesses, as well
> as the rushed process for consideration," she said in a June news
> release.
>
> But she added that she believes it's imperative for Congress to
> address climate change.
>