June 8, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dan Turner (601) 576-2009; dturner@governor.state.ms.us
Laura Hipp (601) 576-2020; lhipp@governor.state.ms.us
GOVERNOR BARBOUR CALLS FOR ABUNDANT, AFFORDABLE ENERGY
Biloxi, Mississippi - Governor Haley Barbour reiterated his concerns today that the Obama Administration’s cap-and-trade policies would burn America’s families and businesses.
Speaking at the 2009 Southern Growth Policies Board annual meeting, Governor Barbour cautioned against having the United States move from having no coherent energy policy to a policy that would increase taxes on oil and gas by $81 billion.
“The Obama administration’s proposed energy policy would have the inevitable result of substantially increasing the cost of energy to American families and American businesses, especially manufacturing,” Governor Barbour said.
The Obama policies would severely punish Southern states, which have tremendous resources in coal, natural gas and oil, and ignores the vast potential of nuclear power.
Estimates in Mississippi indicate rate increases for our investor-owned utilities of $50-60 per month for the average residential customer.
“These would be increases of approximately 50 percent, with the current average monthly bill being only about $100,” Governor Barbour said. “For working and middle class families, it would be a higher increase.”
These estimates are consistent with a study released by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association last month. It is estimated the cap and trade tax would increase their residential customers average rates $50 or more a month.
Governor Barbour serves as the current chair of the Southern Growth Policies Board, which is focusing its conference on energy-related economic development.