April 07, 2009

Anti-Market and Anti-Consumer, 2009 Energy Bill

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES). Has a taxpayer funded mandate for unproven energy sources jacks up taxes on current energy sources. So you will get hit twice for unproven, unsuccessful, technology that has to get government subsiding to compete.

Title 1 of ACES also includes incentives to facilitate the transition to a smart grid.  While upgrading the nation's electric grid has merit, such a project should not be approached bureaucratically. More efficient grid technology should be an investment made by the private sector, and if upgrading the grid will save consumers money—as Congress purports it will—consumers will respond to price signals and buy it.

A new grid could help store large amounts of electricity for the first time, which would benefit unreliable sources such as wind and solar power. 

Any federal policy should focus on removing regulatory barriers to upgrading the grid to allow for more consumer choice and protect private property rights.

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