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Honorable __________________
Congressman
Washington, D.C. 20515
Congressman ______________,
Reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into our air and thereby reducing America's carbon footprint is an important, yet complicated, legislative debate. As Congress continues debating cap and trade, I'm urging you to fight for reasonable carbon legislation to ensure the Midwest is not disadvantaged and to make sure the issue is addressed from a global perspective and not just a short-term solution that exports more American jobs.
I'm concerned that my electric bill may substantially increase once the bill is enacted and increase further over the next two to three decades. Furthermore, my natural gas bill could increase as well.
This legislation is a game changer for our state. You and other Midwestern elected officials need to be aligned to minimize potential residential and business bill impacts and ensure continued use of clean coal energy sources. A flexible, market-based cap and trade approach with zero cost allowance allocations to coal-based electric generators is the most effective and economic way to reduce emissions.
Subjecting all allowances to immediately auction will dramatically increase my bill, and I would pay twice – once to pay for emission credits and again for developing technology to achieve the reductions. Auctioning allowances would have the consequence of increasing energy cost drastically in the 25 heartland states that rely heavily on coal to generate power.
Energy prices continue consuming more of my household budget, and immediately adding a carbon cost will further burden my neighbors and me. Please ensure a long lead time (10 years or more) is included to allow technology capabilities to develop and expanded generation efficiency and other enhanced renewable energy strategies to continue.
I plan to follow the money, too. Please make sure that dollars generated by any final bill stay with carbon reduction-related needs and not be used to fund other issues such as health care or other non-energy issues. Most of the revenue should be dedicated to the research and development of carbon-reducing technologies or be returned to me.
I know there are many other provisions in this bill, including renewables, natural gas impacts and performance standards. The carbon issue may be the most heavily debated bill this year. Our economy struggles, few new jobs are being created, Midwest incomes are flat - I am not an expert on this topic, but I need you to stay focused and protect my wallet and our country's energy future.
Respectfully,
Your name and contact information here
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