Capital Commerce

Obama and Coal: Send Americans 'Price Signals' on Energy

By James Pethokoukis

Posted: November 3, 2008

It could have been a classic presidential debate moment, John McCain turning to Barack Obama and saying, "Isn't it true that you want Americans to pay higher energy prices?" Right in the middle of an economic downturn, that's the last thing most of us want to do. But that is exactly what Obama wants us to do.

Here is what Obama told Iowa public television last year (courtesy of Little Green Footballs): "I think it is important to send some price signals to change behavior. It's not going to be painless. Power plants are going to have to adjust how they generate power. They will pass on those costs to consumers.... A lot of us who can afford it are going to pay more for a unit of electricity; over time the electricity bill goes back down as technology catches back up."

Me: See, Obama's little-discussed cap-and-trade plan would raise costs on businesses for using energy, like the entire coal industry—and they would then pass on those costs to you and me. Those "price signals" effectively are $100 billion a year in energy taxes, which would wipe out Obama's middle-class tax cut/credit.

Now we know why his brother lives in Kenya and not here... After his ass wipe of a brother get done with his plans here. NO one will be able to afford to live here. Now I know why we have snippers....

Get Him!!!!! of @ Nov 10, 2008 21:07:15 PM

God speed to coal producing states

Its hard to think a citizen of Illnious would slam his own poeple and state flat on there face, sure gald I didnt vote for the man, but I will have to live with the conseqiunces

parying for better days of KY @ Nov 07, 2008 16:27:43 PM

I don't know if this was stated already

The article starts out stating that Obama is proposing this energy penalty during this time of financial crisis, but then makes reference to a quote he made last year.

His quote last year was not made during the financial crisis.

Perhaps he has changed his stance on this issue since other variables in the equation have also changed.

Independant From Ohio of OH @ Nov 05, 2008 12:00:29 PM

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Capital Commerce

Capital Commerce

U.S. News business reporter Matthew Bandyk examines the issues, people, and debates that shape the nexus of political and economic life in the nation's capital.

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