Speakers at Emerson picnic in Cape concerned about cap-and-trade bill

Speakers at U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's annual picnic Saturday voiced concern about the cap-and-trade carbon emissions bill before Congress.

More than 600 people attended the event at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau.

Keynote speaker Lloyd Smith, executive director of the Missouri Republican party, Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr, Tom Schulte of U.S. Sen. Kit Bond's district office and Barry Hart, CEO of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, addressed the audience, voicing concerns over the passage of the cap-and-trade bill by the U.S. House of Representatives. Emerson introduced each speaker and made her case for opposition to the cap-and-trade bill, which passed 217-212 in the House and has yet to be voted on in the Senate.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson leads the Pledge of Allegiance with Boy Scout Troop 200 honor guard of Dexter, Mo. to begin Emerson's annual picnic Saturday at the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)

Before addressing the audience, Emerson expressed her concern about the bill, saying the cap-and-trade bill would have a big effect on all of Missouri because the state uses such a large amount of coal.

"As long as we utilize and continue utilizing coal as we do, we will be penalized for that," Emerson said.

"With the economy as it is now, it is all very hard to hear," Emerson said. "The cost could be $1,600 to $3,000 more per year for families, just for their own personal electric use."

In many cases, she said, people will just give up and move out of the state because they can't pay their utility bills.

Emerson said she was also concerned about energy costs for agriculture.

"Farmers can't pass the extra cost they incur along to the consumer," Emerson said. "They can't sell their product for more than it already is."

Hart promised he would hand deliver petition cards signed during the event to Sens. Claire McCaskill and Kit Bond in order to stress the importance of a vote against the cap-and-trade bill.

Emerson said Bond is leaning toward a no, while Hart said McCaskill won't consider supporting the bill without significant changes.

Lohr said she was interested in any regulations regarding power generation.

"Even though they may not know it, ultimately it affects every one of my citizens," she said.

Lohr said until about five years ago, Missourians could count on affordable and reliable electricity.

"Now that is in the process of being changed, and we must make our voices heard," Lohr said.

Lohr said despite of the fact that coal usage has become cleaner, Congress wants more extensive regulations through the cap-and-trade bill.

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