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Peterson: Concerns over energy act allayed
Published 12:00 p.m., June 26, 2009
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson said Thursday alterations made to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 have calmed his concerns.
The goal, Peterson said, is to remain true to the efforts of the United States in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while protecting Minnesota’s rural farmers, ranchers and forest land owners.
In order to do so, an offset credit program was included in the act, allowing farmers to purchase carbon offsets through the market.
The market system, however, will not be included in over the counter market trading, according to Peterson.
“There will be no manipulation of the Wall Street guys,” Peterson said in a press conference Thursday.
Offset credits are defined in the bill as “a tradable compliance instrument that represents the reduction, avoidance or sequestration of 1 ton of carbon dioxide equivalent.” It also goes on to state that all offset market purchases must prove to bring about permanent reductions in atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions.
Also included in the negotiations is an alteration to Indirect Land Use, which, according to Peterson, is charging Minnesota companies to pay costs associated with other countries.
“That is a huge deal for our ethanol people that are in trouble right now like Otter Tail (Ag Enterprises) and some of the other guys,” Peterson said. “That’s critical in keeping them in business.”
Though Peterson is, at this point, content with the negotiated wording of the act, he is holding back celebrations until the bill makes its way through the Senate.
“If it comes back in any way that is unacceptable to me, I will not support the bill in its final passage,” Peterson said.
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The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by akmscott (anonymous) on June 26, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In other words-he gets ethanol protection(expensive and worthless biofuel)and he agrees to tax the hell out of us!
Posted by 1125thmp (anonymous) on June 26, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The whole bill is a joke an most of the primary reasons for it's introduction have been gutted by committee. Have not set down yet to see the what Peterson received in Lobbyist funding for reelection, though I'm sure its slightly more then what this now worthless piece of regulation is worth. Start over, clean out the barn, the best part of the declaration of independence. If they don't serve truly our interests get rid of them, 100 senators and 435 rep's are to be replaced.
Posted by shellback (anonymous) on June 26, 2009 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners get protected in his eyes but none of the representatives have even read the bill. How about the rest of us poor slobs who work for or buy the farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners produce. The farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners are all drinking the cool aid and taking the handouts. The rest of us will get to pay outragiously higher electric and fuel costs and have our jobs eliminated and sent to China. It is critical that the rest of us have a job and can pay the bills. Peterson sent us over a cliff and the free fall begins. Maybe we will be able to get a job hoeing weeds by hand in the farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners fields and forests. Peterson is not representing the peoples interests of this district!!!
Posted by thetruthhurts (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This whole cap and trade joke will be nothing but confusing and very very costly to EVERYONE! More govt control, typical global govt thinking. If it has anything to do with global, it should be REJECTED!
Posted by trickyricky (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Who is John Galt?" (Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand - 1957)
Very scary parallels between current events and Rand's epic novel written 52 years ago... More & more government intrusion into private business, industry and commerce will only continue to push our economy into the crapper.
Posted by RockTruck (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny stuff to see how a bunch of high-test zeros constantly criticizing ethanol, global warming, and so on. Yeah right, I'm sure the scientists are all wrong, the ethanol guys have their efficiency numbers skewed, government is out to rail everybody, blah blah blah. Oh look, there's somebody hiding behind the grassy hill right now and there goes another black Suburban.
You guys crack me up. LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by freda (anonymous) on June 28, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Get a good candidate, and Peterson is out! He will eat this bill, spoon fed to him by the Republicans who have voted for him in the past, all the way to the voting booths in 2010!
Posted by shellback (anonymous) on June 28, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Peterson has shown his true colors. Willing to sell his district out for special interests and pork. The nation is sliding quickly on a very slipery slope. They intend to tax us out of existance. Interesting how a once powerful and rich nation can quickly dissappear into insignificance.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on June 28, 2009 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"He will eat this bill, spoon fed to him by the Republicans"
What Republicans want this bill, name them. This bill will be a disaster. 200 years of progress starting to go down the drain.
Posted by Blitzen (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good bye, Mr. Peterson.....
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