The Heritage Foundation

Energy & Environment Update

Advancing freedom and prosperity by unleashing free enterprise, protecting America's energy interests, and advancing free global energy markets.

Recent Updates

If You're Paul Krugman, It's Easy Lying About Cap and Trade

Spanish & Solar: A Model to Follow or a Cautionary Tale?

Liberal Senators Dodge Tough Climate Votes



Since Americans are Teenagers, They Won’t Understand Greenhouse Gases

The Math on Chinese Emissions

Panel of Experts See No Stimulus from Cap and Trade



Featured Research

The American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act: A Bipartisan Pro-Energy Bill



By Ben Lieberman



It is rare these days to see a congressional bill that is both bipartisan and worthwhile. This is even more true for a controversial and polarizing topic like energy. But the American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act (H.R. 2227) is one such bill. Its measures to increase America's offshore oil and natural gas production more than make up for the bill's shortcomings.



Unlike the leading competing bill, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2009 (H.R. 3534), which offers nothing but lower domestic energy supplies and higher prices, this is a pro-energy measure that deserves serious consideration.



>> Click here to read Ben Lieberman's full report



For information on cap and trade, visit Heritage's Rapid Response page, which features research, commentary, blog posts, charts and additional policy resources.





Global Warming on the Hill

After dodging tough climate-related votes last week, liberal Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA) plan to introduce their global warming legislation on Wednesday. While details have yet to emerge, it promises to be closely modeled after the House-passed legislation that would have resulted in 1.9 million fewer jobs in 2012.



Last week, Senator Kerry tried a new rhetorical formulation to describe their legislation. He said, “I don't know what ‘cap and trade’ means. I don't think the average American does. This is not a cap-and-trade bill, it's a pollution reduction bill.” Observers should realize that any policy that seeks to cap or tax carbon emissions will result in fewer jobs, higher energy costs and a less dynamic economy.









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