10 LC
25 5699S
The
Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee offered the following
substitute to SR 973:
A
RESOLUTION
Requesting
that the United States Congress avoid passing Cap and Trade type legislation
that would negatively impact this nation; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
this year, the United States Congress is considering legislation entitled the
"American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009," more commonly known as Cap and
Trade legislation; and
WHEREAS,
it is imperative that members of Congress carefully consider all the possible
effects that the passage of a Cap and Trade type legislation would have upon
this nation's and state's economic health and stability; and
WHEREAS,
while there is some scientific belief that greenhouse gases could impact the
atmosphere, there is also some scientific skepticism of the belief in man-caused
global warming; and
WHEREAS,
according to the official temperature records from the Climate Research Unit of
East Anglia, global temperatures since 1998 have decreased even though
greenhouse gas emissions have increased; and
WHEREAS,
some scientists have pointed to data that illustrates the correlation between
solar activity and global warming, which they believe accurately explains past
global temperature changes including the decline in temperature over the past
decade; and
WHEREAS,
these natural planetary temperature fluctuations are beyond human influence,
explain current global temperatures more accurately than greenhouse gases, and
point to a natural cycle of climate change; and
WHEREAS,
legislation that creates another massive federal bureaucracy to address a
problem that may not be occurring would be irresponsible;
and
WHEREAS, any legislation passed
should include a cost-benefit analysis to help determine a balance between
economic stability and environmental stewardship; and
WHEREAS,
any action taken by Congress should be structured to protect and promote
American jobs, protect American citizens and industry from higher energy prices,
reward early adopters of efficient practices and technologies, and champion the
global competitiveness of American industry.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body request
that the United States Congress proceed cautiously in their attempted solution
to address global climate change and have the humility to acknowledge that we as
a people have a long way to go before fully understanding global climate
fluctuations.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any policy intended to curb greenhouse gas emissions
must originate in the United States Congress with a recorded vote for
accountability purposes.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to each member of the United
States Congress.