 
Industry Reacts to Senate Decision to Halt
Cap-and-Trade
July 26, 2010
For some time now members of the float glass manufacturing industry
have expressed their concerns about the American Clean Energy &
Security Act, which passed the House of Representatives last summer.
Manufacturers and those representing the industry said the legislation
would require those in the glass industry to either absorb the increased
cost of carbon emissions (via cap-and-trade) or the increased cost
of having to deal with additional state and federal regulation.
But last Thursday Senate Democratic leaders announced their decision
to halt efforts to place cap-and-trade on greenhouse-gas emissions
(CLICK
HERE for related article).
According to the Wall Street Journal, "Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid said Thursday that neither he nor the White House
had managed to line up 60 senators to support even a limited proposal
seeking to cap carbon-dioxide emissions from electric power companies
Mr. Reid refused to declare the idea dead. But Thursday's
decision called into question when or whether any legislated cap
on greenhouse-gas emissions would reach Mr. Obama's desk."
Over the past year, glass industry organizations such as the Glass
Association of North America (GANA), have taken an active stance
against climate change legislation, as it could impact flat glass
manufacturing significantly.
"In our meetings this year on Capitol Hill, GANA was repeatedly
told that CO2 emission legislation this year (before the November
elections) was unlikely. However, I believe that it is likely that
the issue will re-emerge after the November elections. So, this
development seems to be a temporary refuge at best," said Bill
Yanek, executive vice president of GANA. "GANA is working in
concert with the Energy Future Coalition to try and attach the Building
STAR initiative to whatever energy legislation emerges from Congress.
Unlike CO2 emission regulation, incentivizing energy-efficient retrofits
will inject some needed energy into an economy teetering on the
brink of a double-dip recession. GANA is also closely monitoring
CO2 emission efforts that are still plodding forward in California,
at the EPA and at the behest of the Western Climate Initiative."
Officials at Guardian Industries say the legislation that they
are excited about is a bill that will include incentives for the
use of natural gas and the Home Star program.
"The United States can significantly reduce its energy use
by promoting home retrofits that rely upon proven techniques and
materials manufactured in the United States," said Guardian
Glass Group President Russ Ebeid. "We support Home Star because
is will save energy and lower homeowner's energy bills."
Need more info and analysis about the issues?
CLICK
HERE to subscribe to USGlass magazine.
|