An optimistic realist's view on climate legislation

It might come as a surprise to some folks, but our views on climate change legislation are not unlike others, including the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.

Last week, the president of the Pew Center told the House Energy and Commerce Committee to be cautious about burdening energy-intensive industries with the inherent costs of climate legislation, noting that creating free allowances to begin with could lessen the likelihood that developing nations not bound by emissions standards—like China and India—could gain a manufacturing foothold over the United States.

As President Obama said (of a CO2 cap-and-trade system), "If it's so onerous that people can't meet it, then it defeats the purpose."

To keep America competitive in the global economy while jump starting things here at home, we'll have to take a realistic approach to climate change legislation. We believe this transition can be made in a way that helps us meet our environmental responsibility, protects America's energy security and ensures reliable, affordable energy for Americans.

We look forward to working with President Obama, his administration and Congress to strike that all-important balance.