TERRE HAUTE — Duke Energy officials took an unpopular stance Tuesday at the Terre Haute Rotary Club by defending cap and trade legislation now before Congress.
Duke officials told more than 70 Rotarians the company favors cap and trade legislation over the alternative of allowing the Environmental Protection Agency to draft its own cap and trade rules.
“The EPA is working on a regulatory scheme right now,” said Lew Middleton, a regional communications manager for Duke. EPA rules would be much less flexible and far more expensive than a cap and trade law passed by Congress, he said.
“We will pay the full price and then some” if the EPA writes the cap and trade rules, Middleton said. Duke favors rules written by elected lawmakers, not “unelected bureaucrats,” he said.
Still, Duke’s position was clearly unpopular with the Rotary members who spoke during a question-and-answer period.
“The business community no longer agrees with where Duke is going,” one Rotarian said after Middleton’s talk.
Under cap and trade, the federal government would set a limit on carbon dioxide emissions. Companies wishing to emit CO2 would receive government permits, which could then be sold on the open market.
In May, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels wrote in the Wall Street Journal that cap and trade legislation would “more than double electricity bills in Indiana,” which relies heavily on coal for electric power. Daniels called cap and trade an effort by “wealthy but faltering powers — California, Massachusetts and New York — seeking to exploit politically weaker” states, such as Indiana, “in order to prop up their own decaying economies.”
“We have a different perspective on this legislation” than Gov. Daniels, Middleton said.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Waxman-Markey cap and trade bill in June by a mostly party-line vote of 219-212. The bill received strong support among New England and West Coast lawmakers. Only two Indiana House members supported the bill while seven others, including Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Indiana, voted no.
The bill is now before the U.S. Senate. “We have further opportunity to improve the bill” in the Senate, Middleton told the Rotarians.
Supporting cap and trade has allowed Duke, which serves more than 4 million customers in five states, to help shape the legislation, Middleton noted. He said the company took the lead in changing the original version of the Waxman-Markey bill, supported by President Obama. That version would have caused Hoosier electric bills to increase by about 40 percent, according to a Duke media release issued in February.
One Rotarian asked Duke officials whether cap and trade would have any effect on the global climate.
“There is wonderful science” on both sides, Middleton said. Duke has elected to “set science aside” and deal with inevitable cap and trade legislation, he said. “It’s not only science that’s driving this. It’s politics that’s driving this,” he said.
Duke, the largest electricity producer in Indiana, also has broken ranks with other energy producers in the cap and trade debate. Last week, Duke announced it was leaving the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, which has spent millions of dollars advertising against cap and trade legislation.
“Members come and go,” Middleton said when asked about Duke’s decision to leave the Clean Coal coalition. “That happens all the time.”
One Rotarian asked Middleton to comment on a report that said Indiana’s electric bills would double by 2020 under cap and trade. Middleton said it’s impossible to predict future energy costs.
“There’s going to be a price. How much that price will be? Who knows?” he said.
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Business
Duke Energy officials defend cap and trade legislation
- Business
-
-
Projected Learning: Indiana State class teams with Delta Faucet for educational efforts
Indiana State University senior Candace Greubel scoured newsletter articles before her class forwarded its project to its eager audience, Delta Faucet Company employees.
-
Eight join Scott College of Business advisory board
Eight graduates from the past decade have recently joined the Scott College of Business’ Young Professionals Board at Indiana State University.
-
NEWSMAKERS: Feb. 12, 2012
* Edward Motley
* John Wilkinson
* Clabber Girl Corp.
-
BUSINESS CENTS: Is your company ready to become a franchise?
In the past few articles, we have discussed small business tax issues.
-
Mayor of Clinton to speak at Chamber luncheon
Clinton Mayor Jack Gilfoy will be the guest speaker at the February Luncheon Meeting of the Greater Clinton Chamber of Commerce.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: A Valentine tip from Social Security
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, making this a popular time of year for proclamations of love.
-
Small businesses invited to enter ‘Push’ contest
The sixth annual Staples National Small Business Survey found that seven out of 10 small business owners are optimistic about the future.
-
MORTON MARCUS: Examining the vitality of the economy in local communities
Euturn Wright, the noted economic development specialist, was in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl extravaganza.
-
ON THE MOVE: Feb. 12, 2012
Big Red Liquors Inc., a leading wine, beer, and spirits merchant since 1972 with 25 retail locations throughout southern Indiana, has hired Don Rix, vice president for Marsh Supermarkets LLC with 32 years of experience in the grocery industry, as its new president.
-
Mike’s Carwash washes its 100,000,000th vehicle
Mike’s Carwash has recorded a significant milestone, washing its 100 millionth vehicle.
-
Look for random acts of kindness at mall
Honey Creek Mall in Terre Haute will again celebrate National Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb. 13-19.
-
Estate planning, wills topic of Lunch with a Lawyer program
Senior Education Ministries Inc. has scheduled Lunch with a Lawyer from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Wabash Senior Activity Center at 300 S. Fifth St. in Terre Haute.
-
Leslie leaving Terre Haute Chamber
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce today notified members that Rachel Leslie, Chamber executive vice president, has accepted a position as director of advancement operations for St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.
-
Toyota to increase Highlander output in Indiana
Toyota will increase production of the Highlander mid-size SUV in late 2013 at the company’s Princeton, Indiana plant. Hybrid and export versions will be included. The project is expected to create about 400 new jobs at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc.
-
AT&T expands mobile broadband network
AT&T has expanded its mobile broadband network in several southwest Indiana communities, extending access for advanced mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content to customers in the area.
-
ON THE MOVE: Feb. 5, 2012
• Debbie Dillow
• Vani Manyam
• Shabaz Gill
-
Nominate someone for HR Professional of the Year
Nominations are currently being sought for the 2012 Ogletree Deakins/HR Dimensions Human Resources Professional of the Year.
-
Time Warner offers new levels of Internet service
Time Warner Cable is expanding the next generation of Internet service to customers across the Midwest using DOCSIS 3 equipment and its advanced fiber network.
-
NEWSMAKERS: Feb. 5, 2012
Irving Haber at 1818 N. Third St. in Terre Haute announces that he is the first physician in the Wabash Valley to offer on-site digital imaging with the new Sonosite Sonogram machine.
-
First Financial Corp. reports 2011 results
First Financial Corporation announced results for the year and the quarter ended Dec. 31.
-
Terre Haute Chevrolet to incorporate new GM image elements
Terre Haute Chevrolet, a division of the Romain Automotive Group of Evansville, has announced a new look coming to the dealership in 2012.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Social Security FAQ on disability
Question: I applied for disability benefits three months ago and still haven’t received an answer. How long does it take to get a decision?
-
MORTON MARCUS: State government increasingly decides how we live in our cities
The ongoing trend in state-local government relations in Indiana is increasing paternalism.
-
Innovative Staff Solutions offers job openings
Innovative Staff Solutions has more than 180 positions open and available right now.
-
Free career advancement workshop scheduled
University of Illinois Extension is hosting a free career advancement workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in Marshall.
-
Verizon Wireless invests $159 million in Indiana
Verizon Wireless has invested $159 million in 2011 to enhance its network in Indiana, which includes the expansion of 4G LTE to 23 Hoosier cities, 10 major universities and four professional sporting venues.
-
Rose-Hulman Winter Career Fair experiences 37 percent gain in company attendance
The good times have returned for college job seekers in such technical fields as engineering and computer science.
-
Gordon Chiropractic celebrates grand opening of new location
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Gordon Chiropractic Family Health and Wellness celebrated the grand opening of its new location on Feb. 4.
-
Magnolia gives in on rezoning
A potential $20-million investment in Terre Haute’s east side has been blocked by public opposition.
-
Magnolia drops retirement complex plans for Ohio Boulevard
The company that had been hoping to build a new senior living complex along Ohio Boulevard has canceled its plans.
- More Business Headlines
-
Projected Learning: Indiana State class teams with Delta Faucet for educational efforts
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Latest Jason Wu Collection Shows Chinese Roots
ShowBiz Minute: Madonna, Beresford-Redman, Pawsc
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
The Pits: Israelis Spit Olives for Glory
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
Girl rescued after avalanche buries village in Kosovo
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Lusetich: AT&T Rd. 3 recap
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Absolute Lin-sanity
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
Sandusky on having to stay inside and people turning on him
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera?
Did JLo 'Assault' Marc Anthony on Camera?
Christie Brinkley's Runway Slip
