Monday, November 23, 2009

Cap and Trade Debate

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A global warming skeptic and a leading climate change expert  are going to debate the potential impact of cap and trade legislation on West Virginia's economy. Cato Institute Senior Fellow Patrick Michaels and Climate Change Director David Hawkins at the National Resources Defense Council will face off Dec. 7 at the University of Charleston.

Under legislation passed by the U.S. House and now under consideration in the Senate, the federal government would set limits on carbon dioxide emissions. Businesses would then buy and sell permits to emit the gases.

Michaels says the proposal would lead to job losses in mining, trucking, railroad and other industries.

Hawkins says it would provide opportunities for economic growth.


Explain one specific way cap-and-trade legislation may lead to job losses in mining, trucking, railroad or other related industries.  You don't have to talk about all of these -- just one specific way in one of them.  Then explain one specific way cap-and-trade legislation would provide an opportunity for economic growth.  You may not repeat what your classmates have already written; you must come up with a new idea.