AFP Applauds AZ Withdrawal from Western Climate Initiative

November 21, 2011 JEnergy & Environment

Contact: Tom Jenney, (602) 478-0146 or tjenney@afphq.org

Arizona Withdraws from Western Climate Scheme

AFP Applauds Withdrawal, Calls it a “Huge Win” for Taxpayers

PHOENIX, AZ–Americans for Prosperity-Arizona, the premier free-market grassroots mobilizing group, applauds the state of Arizona for formally withdrawing from the cap-and-trade scheme known as the Western Climate Initiative. Arizona joins five other states in withdrawing, including New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Utah, leaving only California involved in this green house gas scheme implemented after Congress struck down cap-and-trade.

“This is a huge win for Arizona taxpayers. The Western Climate Initiative’s signature cap-and-trade program would have raised the cost of energy during one of the most economically devastating times in American history,” said AFP-Arizona State Director Tom Jenney. “One study found the program could have destroyed over 20,000 Arizona jobs. There are more responsible ways to protect our environment while also protecting jobs and reviving our economy.”

The Western Climate Initiative is a cap-and-trade system. Instead of placing a direct tax on consumers, cap-and-trade puts a cap on overall green house gas emissions and establishes a market to buy and sell permits. Consequently, companies must pay more, passing that cost onto the consumer. The ultimate result is like that of increasing energy taxes on citizens, with detrimental results for the economy.

“There is a reason cap-and-trade failed in Congress and I applaud Arizona for recognizing this scheme as a failure and rejecting it on the state level,” Jenney continued.

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