KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Cap and Trade controversy heats up in the Kansas City metro.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act passed the House. Now the bill must clear the Senate as well. Sen. Kit Bond plans on voting no on the measure.
"We don't need a backbreaking budget killing tax that cap and trade would represent," said Bond.
He believes the bill which will put a cap on emissions from energy sources like coal fired plants like the one owned by KCP& L. The company will then have to purchase trade permits from other companies that don't put out as many emissions. That cost will be passed onto consumers. Bond believes the move will put a strain on Midwest families who are already struggling.
"Eighty percent of our energy comes from coal. If you make that so expensive, families will not be able to afford it. It will absolutely ruin their budgets," says Bond.
KCP&L sent a letter to legislators on both sides of the state line urging them to vote against the measure. A spokesperson for utility company estimates it could cost the average family from $210 to $420 a year.
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver says that cost would be more like $140 a year.
"The average household will be paying about 40 cents a day. While that's not a huge amount of money, I realize that for some 40 cents a day is big time," says Cleaver.
Bond says it will also affect gas prices by $1.40 and drive local farmers out of business. Cleaver says he respects Bond's point of view but believes now is the time to do something. He says if the law goes into effect, it will take a hundred years to allow the planet to heal.
"How much would it cost if you do nothing. I think it would cost not only our children but unborn generations and I'm not willing to wait," says Cleaver.
The two are on opposites sides of the issue but both agree that it will be a huge uphill battle to make sure a final version of the bill crosses President Obama's desk for him to sign into law.
