Capito discusses climate change, cap-and-trade policies

The issue, the Republican congresswoman said, is one that the country is smart to look at now. But because it doesn’t seem like drastic changes will happen over the next 20 years, the country has time to look at the issue, address it appropriately and prevail on other nations to do the same.

But hearings on a cap-and-trade proposal have begun on Capitol Hill this week. Cap-and-trade is a process by which industries are allowed to emit a certain amount of pollution. Companies that pollute more would have to buy credit from companies that pollute less. The theory is that companies that can cut back on their emissions will to save money.

Capito called the current cap-and-trade plan a “non-starter” for her, and says that in its current form she can’t support it. The plan puts too much burden on manufacturers and individuals, she says. Rather, she says a longer timeline would allow time to develop and research technologies to allow the country to use its resources more efficiently and cleanly.

But the Environmental Protection Agency released findings last week that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health. If Congress doesn’t act soon, the EPA could impose stricter emissions regulations.

Capito says EPA actions wouldn’t be preferable, and she thinks the timing of the EPA announcement is a manipulative move by the Obama Administration to push the cap-and-trade legislation through Congress.