by U.S. REP. HAROLD “HAL” ROGERS

Unemployment is soaring. Anxiety continues to rise. Kentucky families are hurting. With such dismal news as this, one would like to believe that it can’t get much worse. Unfortunately, President Obama and his liberal allies in Congress have pulled out an old gimmick to pay for their new, irresponsible trillion dollar spending plan. The latest boondoggle making its way through the halls of Congress is a so-called “Cap and Trade,” bill, which may have admirable intentions in reducing greenhouse gases, but in reality amounts to a $646 billion “carbon tax” paid by every American citizen- rich or poor- and every American business- small or large.

Rather than transitioning responsibly towards new energy technologies, the President is trying to impose draconian, government-mandated limits on carbon emissions from all walks of life - including energy companies, manufacturers, small businesses and public utilities. Responsible companies that cannot meet these levels immediately will be forced to participate in various government mandated auctions to generate revenue for the federal government. But who foots the bill when companies can’t meet these new stringent standards? You and I do. Every American who turns on a light switch will be forced to pay when utilities are unable to meet the government’s unrealistic demands. Great for bureaucrats, bad for Kentuckians.

Most alarming is that the President’s plan would be disproportionately devastating to coal-reliant states, like Kentucky, where our citizens receive 92% of their power from coal and currently enjoy some of the lowest electricity rates in the country. By placing a tax on carbon, coal-burning companies would be singled out and forced to pay an enormous price up front while they search for ways to reduce emissions. Studies have shown the Obama plan could cost every Kentucky family an additional $1,800 a year because of higher prices for food, gas, electricity and home heating. In these tough economic times it is a slap in the face for working families to be expected to pay more for basic needs.

Any effort to tax Americans and U.S. businesses for their carbon emissions puts our economy at a dangerous competitive disadvantage and does nothing to prevent other nations from lowering their greenhouse emissions. Unions and businesses alike are clamoring for relief from the Congress, warning of the dire consequences it would place on an already damaged manufacturing sector. Studies show this plan could result in over 3 million lost jobs. With unemployment already at record highs, it is irresponsible to take this approach in the guise of environmental stewardship.

Let me be clear — I am an avid supporter of protecting our environment and keeping our Commonwealth beautiful. I created the PRIDE program to do just that by restoring personal responsibility for our natural resources. I have also long advocated for developing alternative energy technologies- from solar to wind power to clean coal to nuclear. America’s natural resources hold a bounty of solutions to lower energy costs and keep our air clean. I think we should explore every opportunity and work together to responsibly diversify our energy use. Unfortunately, Obama’s national energy tax plan will not help get us there any faster.

We have the ability to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment through alternative sources of energy. We should embrace those alternatives, not shackle Kentuckians with another tax at the worst possible time imaginable.

Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) has served on the Appropriations Committee for over 25 years and currently serves as the Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.