Obama: Emissions cuts come with tab

[BeyondGeography]

By Rick Pearson | Tribune political reporter
October 15, 2007

DES MOINES - Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday that Americans would pay higher costs for electricity if his environmental program to vastly reduce greenhouse gas emissions is successful.

Speaking to about 200 people at Des Moines' downtown library to discuss the relationship of faith and environmental stewardship, the senator from Illinois said his proposals to temper the effects of global warming include a cap on carbon emissions to effect greenhouse gas reductions of 80 percent by 2050.

"On the front end at least, when you set up a cap, that is going to increase the costs, the production costs of electricity, for these companies. What will they do? They are going to pass them on to you," Obama said. "And so, I hope everybody understands, if we are serious about dealing with global warming, there is going to be a spike in the unit costs of electricity."

Obama said his acknowledgment was representative of one theme of his campaign, that "I can't just tell people what they want to hear." The Democratic contender said some proceeds from an emission credit auction system among polluters would be used to subsidize electric bills for people who are "most vulnerable" to price increases...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-obama_pearson_15oct15,1,6737915.story

[Mojorabbit]

1. I'd rather

get the straight scoop than a bunch of empty promises.