Engler: Preventing Higher Energy Costs, Protecting Missouri Citizens

The work that we accomplish in the Legislature is designed to make Missouri a better place, and I take this job very seriously.  This work includes provisions that protect citizens in Missouri, whether it be from misguided federal proposals or unethical practices in the government.  We discussed these and several other topics this week.

The Senate Rules Committee heard, Senate Concurrent Resolution 46, opposing the federal Cap and Trade bill in Congress.  The federal proposal would establish a federal system to oversee the purchase, sale, or trade of permits for energy use meant to reduce carbon emissions. Many Missouri legislators are concerned that capping greenhouse gas emissions would have a negative impact on our economy because a majority of energy in our state—about 85 percent—comes from coal.

I have been a strong supporter of alternative energies in the past and have passed legislation that encourages the use of biofuels and efficient uses of energy. However, we need to make sure that environmental protections do not hurt existing businesses by burdensome regulation or raise energy costs on Missouri families. Cap and Trade is a tax increase on Missourians. Because Missouri's electricity is based heavily on coal, it estimated that utility rates on the typical Missouri resident would nearly double in a matter of just a few years, while residents of places like California and Massachusetts would see their bills decrease.

If Cap and Trade were to pass in Washington, many businesses like Mississippi Lime, Holcim, and Noranda that depend on energy to make their products would be drastically affected and forced to lay off many, if not all their employees. Additionally, the increased regulation would drive many manufacturing jobs overseas to countries like China and India because their regulations are much less stringent.

Also this week, we debated an issue that would require DNA testing of all felons in the state of Missouri. We heard debate from the law enforcement community saying that this strategy would help solve a great number of unsolved cases, especially rapes and murders. However, many of the liberals in the legislature feel that taking DNA from felons is a violation of their privacy and are fiercely opposing the bill. The debate as we move forward should be quite interesting.

During the next few weeks, these issues, along with many other bills will come up.  I'll keep you up-to-date on these topics as they come up on the floor and in Senate committees.