Van Hollen's Economically Destructive Environmental Policies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              

CONTACT:  Daniel Campos 240-277-9941                 

Silver Spring, MD - Recently, Rep. Chris Van Hollen helped pass legislation that provides $188 million in federal funding for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and proposed a cap and trade (C&T) system for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  He also voted last year to ban standard incandescent light bulbs by 2014 and replace them with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), which are made with dangerous mercury and only in China.

While my opponent appears to be concerned about our environment, it is all smoke and mirrors.  His policies are highly destructive for our economy.  Eighth District voters, and all Americans, need to know the truth.

Regarding my opponent's support for Chesapeake Bay funding, at first glance, it appears that Van Hollen has made progress.  However, a closer look at the problem of population expansion, building construction, and pollution around the watershed areas shows that those earmarked millions will only provide a temporary fix.  As more people, both legal citizens and illegal immigrants, pour into the Eastern Shore, the bay will once again become toxic, requiring millions more.  The Bay will become an endless sinkhole as the sprawl continues and it is drained of resources while pollutants are pumped back in.  Thus, while Van Hollen claimed a policy victory in his usual self-congratulatory manner, by refusing to address human sprawl, he is throwing taxpayer dollars down the drain, and it will be a huge loss for the region.

Regarding my opponent's C&T proposal, Van Hollen misses the mark entirely and demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of economic policy.  While symbolic of the need for better climate change policy, his plan will amount to nothing more than economic destruction and higher energy prices.  Indeed, a premature C&T system will cost tens of billions of dollars per year and reduce the GDP.  Solutions for a cleaner environment must be integrated with policies that promote freedom and economic growth.  Instead of carbon caps and limits on productivity, we should focus on improved energy efficiency and greater capture of carbon dioxide, methane, and other GHGs.  Indeed, reducing carbon intensity can help us achieve the desired effect of planetary protection while complementing economic growth.  Continued research and development will help improve carbon capture as well as produce cheaper, more efficient alternative energy sources.  For right now, however, Van Hollen's C&T system will cost the taxpayers billions of dollars and not achieve its desired effect.  Let's not place the cart before the horse.  Let's invest in alternative energy now and eliminate capital gains taxes for alternative energy investments.  Once alternative fuels become competitive, then we can implement a carbon cap system without adversely impacting the economy.  

The banning of incandescent light bulbs in favor of CFLs made only in China speaks for itself.  Texas Congressman Ted Poe says it best at http://youtube.com/watch?v=e-LOtKIIKcg.  For an expanded discussion of these topics, please visit my campaign blog at http://www.stevehudson2008.com/.