×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Congressman Introduces Opposition to Carbon Tax

By JOSELYN KING

Political Writer

Rep. David McKinley introduced a resolution this week seeking congressional opposition to a federal carbon tax he says would raise electricity costs and drive up unemployment rates.

“A carbon tax would increase the cost of everything from driving a car to heating and cooling a home,” McKinley said. “It would be especially burdensome on middle-class Americans and prevent our economy from recovering.

“Raising taxes on everyone from manufacturers to homeowners is not the way to improve our economy, and Congress should reject this idea.”

McKinley, R-W.Va., first introduced the measure on Nov. 30 during the last days of the 112th Congress and re-introduced it in the new 113th Congress.

It states coal and natural gas are essential to America’s economic competitiveness and independence from foreign energy.

The resolution notes a carbon tax would have a dramatic, immediate effect on transportation costs, with low-income families feeling the greatest effect. The tax also would result in “immediate increases in the price of electricity, making electricity less affordable for millions of Americans,” it states.

Reps. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; Bill Johnson, R-Ohio; and Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., join eight other co-sponsors, all Republicans, signing on to the resolution.

Capito spokeswoman Jamie Corley said the congresswoman “supports any legislation that expresses opposition to policies that will hurt West Virginia resources – especially a carbon tax.”

“Many West Virginians would pay the cost of this tax with their jobs, because the tax would spur more layoffs in the energy and energy-intensive manufacturing sectors, and all West Virginians would pay the carbon tax every time they pay their electric bills or fill up their gas tanks,” Corley said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today