What you may not know about the National Energy Tax

Washington, Jun 26 - Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax is going to raise
electricity prices, increase gasoline prices, and ship American jobs
overseas to countries like China and India. This, we know.

It would be a bureaucratic nightmare overseen by a confusing web of
government agencies that would take and redistribute trillions of dollars
from family budgets and workers payrolls. This, we also know. Even
Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) admitted in the
Washington Post this morning that: The truth is, nobody knows for sure how
this is going to work. How encouraging.

But what don¹t we know? Here are some facts you may not know about Speaker
Pelosi¹s national energy tax:

Homebuyers Beware. Trying to save up for a new home? You may have to save up
a little longer for your purchase. The Democrats’ bill would dramatically
increase new home costs by mandating California¹s expensive new building
codes for the entire nation. Immediately upon enactment, the Democrats’ bill
would demand a 30 percent increase in energy efficiency for new
construction. A couple of years later, the Democrats’ bill would require an
additional 50 percent improvement. These numbers were chosen with no concern
for cost to consumers or feasibility in implementation.

Homebuilders Beware. The Democrats’ bill imposes new mandatory regulations
and civil penalties for homebuilders. If your state refuses to accept the
stringent and costly California building codes, the federal government may
assess penalties. And don’t get too comfortable with the new mandatory
regulations because the Democrats bill allows for consensus-based codes
to supplant those outlined in the bill. So, as soon as you’ve invested your
hard-earned money to comply with the bill¹s mandates, the rug could get
pulled from underneath you. Translation? You’ll pony up more and more
money.

Home Sellers Beware. Having a hard time selling your home? Here’s one more
hurdle to jump: all homes sales are conditioned upon an energy audit and a
new energy rating assessment and energy labeling program for your home
that’s outlined in the Democrats’ bill. And if you thought you could improve
your property with a fresh coat of paint and some granite counters? Think
again! Now your home will be subjected to a new energy rating assessment and
energy labeling program that will penalize you for older windows, original
fixtures, and dated appliances. So the Democrats’ bill would bring down the
value of your home!

New Lights No Matter the Cost. As early as 2012, the Democrats’ bill
eliminates all existing lighting technology used in many outdoor lighting
fleets (parking lots, stadiums, secured facilities like power plants and
factories). Just as an example, switching to the mandated technology in the
bill will cost one small utility about $30 million in annual revenue. So you
now have to comply with the new mandates for new lighting? Hold the phone.
It is not clear that a feasible alternative technology is available for
every existing lighting application (regardless of cost) which could force
some businesses to close.

The consequences of Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax for families and
small businesses are real. It will drive up energy costs, send millions of
jobs to countries like China and India, and place an especially heavy burden
on rural America. There is a better way. House Republicans have proposed the
American Energy Act, legislation that represents the fastest route to a
cleaner environment, lower energy costs, and more American jobs. The
legislation would:

Increase environmentally-safe energy production on remote lands and far off
our shores;
Promote the use of alternative fuels that will reduce carbon emissions, such
as nuclear, clean-coal, and renewable energy technologies; and
Encourage increased efficiencies and cutting edge technologies to maximize
America’s energy potential.
Today’s vote on Speaker Pelosi’s ill-advised national energy tax will have
consequences for every American. It is a bad deal for America. And the
American people will remember how their Members of Congress vote.

Here is the impact to Florida Congressional district 22. These statistics are provided by the Heritage Foundation ( http://tiny.cc/v5IBi ):


Gross State Product Loss
-GSP Loss , 2012 (in millions) –$278.59
-Average GSP Loss, 2012–2035(in Millions) –$554.65

Personal Income
Personal Income Loss in 2012 (in Millions) –$507.32
Average Personal Income Loss, 2012 –2035 (in Millions) –$293.82

Non-Farm Jobs
Non-Farm Job Loss in 2012 –3,907
Average Non-Farm Job Loss, 2012–2035 –2,715