Candidate for 17th Congressional District......Dan Moadus

[Towntalk]

Do you think that Dan might be willing to read these CBO documents the longest of which is 32 pages.

CBO Testimony before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
(32 pages)  October 14, 2009
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/105xx/doc10561/10-14-Greenhouse-GasEmissions.pdf

CBO - The Economic Effects of Legislation to Reduce Greenhouse-Gas Emissions
September 2009
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/105xx/doc10573/09-17-Greenhouse-Gas.pdf
(32 pages)


CBO - How Regulatory Standards Can Affect a Cap-and-Trade Program for Greenhouse Gases
(6 pages) September 16, 2009
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/105xx/doc10562/09-16-CapandStandards.pdf


CBO - The Use of Offsets to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
(8 pages) August 3, 2009
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/104xx/doc10497/08-03-Offsets.pdf

Or this document from the Congressional Research Service:

CRS - Climate Change: Comparison of the Cap-and-Trade Provisions in
H.R. 2454 and S. 1733
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40896_20091105.pdf

[Towntalk]

Here is the Congressional Research Service Summery of Section 202 and 204

(Sec. 202) Requires the EPA Administrator: (1) in consultation with the
Secretary, to develop and implement standards for a national energy and
environmental building retrofit policy for single-family and multi-family
residences; and (2) in consultation with the Secretary and the Director of
Commercial High-Performance Green Buildings, to develop and implement standards
for a national energy and environmental building retrofit policy for
nonresidential programs. Declares that: (1) programs to implement such standards
shall together be known as the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance
(REEP) program; and (2) the purpose of REEP is to facilitate the retrofitting of
existing buildings to achieve maximum cost-effective energy efficiency
improvements and significant improvements in water use and other environmental
attributes. Requires the EPA Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary,
to establish goals, guidelines, practices, standards, and specified program
elements for accomplishing such purpose.
Requires the EPA Administrator to: (1) consult with and coordinate with the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in implementing the REEP
program with regard to retrofitting of public housing and assisted housing; and
(2) establish standards to ensure that retrofits of public housing and assisted
housing funded are cost-effective.
Requires the EPA Administrator and the Secretary to provide assistance to state
and local agencies for the establishment of revolving loan funds, loan
guarantees, or other forms of financial assistance for REEP. Provides for the
administration of REEP by state and local governments.
Requires emission allowances to the states' SEED accounts to support the
implementation through state REEP programs of alternative means of creating
incentives for, or reducing financial barriers to, improved energy and
environmental performance in buildings. Establishes eligible uses of such
support. Requires nonresidential buildings receiving support to satisfy minimum
indoor air quality standards.
Requires the EPA Administrator to report annually on REEP's achievements in each
state and on recommendations for program modifications.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2013 to the EPA Administrator and to the
Secretary for REEP program costs.

(Sec. 204) Requires the EPA Administrator to: (1) establish a building energy
performance labeling program with broad applicability to the residential and
commercial markets to enable and encourage knowledge about building energy
performance by owners and occupants and to inform efforts to reduce energy
consumption nationwide; (2) develop model building energy labels for new
residential and commercial buildings; and (3) conduct building energy
performance labeling demonstration projects for different building types.
Directs federal support for the program to be provided through the emission
allowances allocated to the states' SEED accounts. Establishes requirements for
states to follow in order to become eligible to utilize allowances to implement
this program.
Authorizes the EPA Administrator to create or identify model programs and
resources to provide guidance to offer to states and localities for creating
labeling programs consistent with the model program. Requires the EPA
Administrator to report to Congress on the model labeling program.
Requires the Secretary and the EPA Administrator to: (1) use the labeling
program to evaluate energy performance in DOE and EPA facilities and to
encourage and support implementation efforts in other federal agencies; and (2)
establish a business and consumer education program to increase awareness about
the importance of building energy efficiency and to facilitate widespread use of
the labeling program.
Authorizes appropriations to the EPA Administrator and the Secretary for
FY2010-FY2020 for such labeling program.

[Towntalk]

Rusty:

I was going to post the actual text of the sections that Dan referenced but the moderators would have kittens if I did because just one of them is over 6 pages long using Word at 12 point type.

It would take a Philadelphia law firm to interpret the sections in question, and as for putting it into a foremat that the average Joe can understand forget it because a huge law library would need to be used just to put the whole thing into context.

It's for this reason that I take what people are saying with a grain of sea salt.

[Towntalk]

I'm sure the Green Party will dance for joy as they watch their neighbors, friends and relatives get a royal shafting by the government. But will they keep up their dance of joy when they find themselves on the list, and have to shell out their life savings to come into compliance, or mortgage their home by taking out a second or third mortgage?

[Dan Moadus]

I generally do not cut and past articles, but this was sent to me, and it must be passed on. This is crucial. Not only will your energy costs double but you will not be able to sell your home unless it is retrofitted to all the new energy standards. All houses will be required to undergo an energy audit, and they will have to permanently display a label describing its energy efficiency level, and it can not be sold until it complies. Take a moment and read the following. Then call your Senator, and a few others.     

H.R. 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
        http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2454

        This is unbelievable! Only the beginning.....

        Wow!  Home owners take note & tell your friends and relatives who are home owners!!!  Beginning 1 year after enactment of the Act, you won't be able to sell your home unless you retrofit it to comply with the energy and water efficiency standards of this Act.

        H.R.  2454, the "Cap & Trade" bill passed by the House of Representatives, if also passed by the Senate, will be the largest tax increase any of us has ever experienced.  The Congressional Budget Office (supposedly non-partisan) estimates that in just a few years the average cost to every family of four will be $6,800 per year.  No one is excluded..  However, once the lower classes feel the pinch in their wallets, you can be sure these voters get a tax refund (even if they pay no taxes at all) to offset this new cost.  Thus, you Mr. and Mrs. Middle Class America will have to pay even more since additional tax dollars will be needed to bail out everyone else.

        But wait.  This awful bill (that no one in Congress has actually read) has many more surprises in it.

        Probably the worst one is this:  A year from now you won't be able to sell your house.

        Yes, you read that right.  The caveat is (there always is a caveat) that if you have enough money to make required major upgrades to your home, then you can sell it.  But, if not, then forget it.  Even pre-fabricated homes ("mobile homes") are included.

        In effect, this bill prevents you from selling your home without the permission of the EPA administrator.

        To get this permission, you will have to have the energy efficiency of your home measured.  Then the government will tell you what your new energy efficiency requirement is and you will be forced to make modifications to your home under the retrofit provisions of this Act to comply with the new energy and water efficiency requirements.  Then you will have to get your home measured again and get a license (called a "label" in the Act) that must be posted on your property to show what your efficiency rating is; sort of like the Energy Star efficiency rating label on your refrigerator or air conditioner If you don't get a high enough rating, you can't sell.  And, the EPA administrator is authorized to raise the standards every year, even above the automatic energy efficiency increases built into the Act.

        The EPA administrator, appointed by the President, will run the Cap & Trade program (AKA the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009") and is authorized to make any future changes to the regulations and standards he alone determines to be in the government's best interest.  Requirements are set low initially so the bill will pass Congress; then the Administrator can set much tougher new standards every year.  The Act itself contains annual required increases in energy efficiency for private and commercial residences and buildings.  However, the EPA administrator can set higher standards at any time.

        Sect.  202:
        Building Retrofit Program mandates a national retrofit program to increase the energy efficiency of all existing homes across America .

        Beginning 1 year after enactment of the Act, you won't be able to sell your home unless you retrofit it to comply with the energy and water efficiency standards of this Act.  You had better sell soon, because the standards will be raised each year and will be really hard (i.e., ex$pen$ive) to meet in a few years.  Oh, goody!  The Act allows the government to give you a grant of several thousand dollars to comply with the retrofit program requirements if you meet certain energy efficiency levels.  But, wait, the State can set additional requirements on who qualifies to receive the grants.  You should expect requirements such as "can't have an income of more than $50K per year", "home selling price can't be more than $125K", or anything else to target the upper middle class (and that's YOU) and prevent them from qualifying for the grants Most of us won't get a dime and will have to pay the entire cost of the retrofit out of our own pockets.  More transfer of wealth, more "change you can believe in."

        Sect.  204:
        Building Energy Performance Labeling Program establishes a labeling program that for each individual residence will identify the achieved energy efficiency performance for "at least 90 percent of the residential market within 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act." This means that within five years, 90% of all residential homes in the U.S.   must be measured and labeled.  The EPA administrator will get $50M each year to enforce the labeling program.  The Secretary of the Department of Energy will get an additional $20M each year to help enforce the labeling program. Some of this money will, of course, be spent on coming up with tougher standards each year.  Oh, the label will be like a license for your car.  You will be required to post the label in a conspicuous location in your home and will not be allowed to sell your home without having this label.  And, just like your car license, you will probably be required to get a new label every so often - maybe every year.  But, the government estimates the cost of measuring the energy efficiency of your home should only cost about $200 each time.  Remember what they said about the auto smog inspections when they first started: that in California it would only cost $15.  That was when the program started.  Now the cost is about $50 for the inspection and certificate; a 333% increase.  Expect the same from the home labeling program.

        Sect.  304:
        Greater Energy Efficiency in Building Codes establishes new energy efficiency guidelines for the National Building Code and mandates at 304(d) that 1 year after enactment of this Act, all state and local jurisdictions must adopt the National Building Code energy efficiency provisions or must obtain a certification from the federal government that their state and/or local codes have been brought into full compliance with the National Building Code energy efficiency standards.

[Dan Moadus]

Watch in the next couple of weeks for a push to get Senate approval of the Cap and Trade bill that has already passed the House. The so called Climate Conference in Copenhagen is coming up in December and my bet is that Obama will try to push this legislation through so he can go to the conference with this bill in hand.

Please give a call to your Senator, or any Senator to demand that this bill be killed. Or be prepared to double what you currently spend on electricity.

[Towntalk]

That's an easy answer: To paraphrase Ryan: What do you think I am a blame fool?

[kenneyjoe330]

Dan - in you quote of Tim Ryan - it ends with ".....and having access to a health care system that isn't just for the elite, but is for everybody."  Does that mean the he supports the bill for HIMSELF and other members of congress ?

[Dan Moadus]

During the Health Care bill debate Tim Ryan spoke for a minute, and here's what he said.
"In 2009 we need to redefine freedom. Freedom in America in 2009 means being healthy, and having access to a health care system that isn't just for the elite, but is for everybody."

The big debate we are engaged in in America, for the most part, is about individual freedom. Considering the lack of understanding of Ryan exhibited in his statement, and Democrats of like mind, is it any wonder that we are going down the road we are?

[Dan Moadus]

Dennis,
I think we will let the voters decide that. You may find that the Democrats in this district agree with me that the leadership in Washington does not reflect our views.

[irishbobcat]

Dan, you can keep the issue and all your conservative talk.....

a democrat in republican clothing will not win the May Primary!!!!!!

[Dan Moadus]

On Thursday the 5th, I went to Washington to take part in the demonstration against State run Health care. It was a good turn out for a request that came four days earlier. I estimated that there were between five and ten thousand people attending. After the demonstration we went to visit our respective Representatives. When I arrived at Tim Ryan's office there were already three people from Portage County waiting for him. We were told by Ryan's Chief of Staff (Mr. Grimes) that he was in the Capital for a vote and probably would not be returning to the office. He was polite, and was willing to spend time answering our questions and listening to our concerns.

He clearly was supportive of the Bill, and indicated that the Congressman was as well, but was open minded about his support. We explained that we believe that the majority of his constituents do not support the legislation, to which he answered that he and the Congressman felt otherwise. He said that most of the people they talked to were in favor. I asked him where did they park their buses today?

Rather than take up too much of his time, I explained that I would be running against Tim in next years primary election, and that I would be using his vote against him if he voted for the bill. I said that if Ryan was smart he would vote "NO" and take the issue away from me. We'll see.

[Dan Moadus]

Included in an E-mail I received is this text from Tim Ryan's office: 58 MILLION DOLLARS AWARDED TO FUND SMART GRID TECHNOLOGIES

On Tuesday, I announced that $57,470,137 has been awarded from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to fund Smart Grid Technology to FirstEnergy Service Company, an Akron-based company. The grant comes as part of a $3.4 billion investment (matched by industry funding for a total of $8 billion) in energy grid modernization, the largest in U.S. History.

This investment is further evidence that the Economic Stimulus Package is working, and working quickly. This grant will create new jobs that can't get outsourced, and the implemented technology created right here in Akron will cut energy costs for Americans across the country.

This Smart Grid modernization will hasten our nation's transition to a smarter and more reliable electric system. An analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute estimates that smart grid technology implementation could reduce electricity use by more than 4 percent by 2030 (Approximately $20.4 billion). The end result will promote energy-efficient choices for consumers and strengthen the growth of renewable energy sources.  Today, one-hundred private companies, utilities, manufacturers, cities, and other partners received Smart Grid Investment grants. These grants will fund the installation of over 2.5 million smart meters along with other technologies that will ultimately reduce energy costs for customers.

The innocuous looking text that I highlighted in red is what should be noted by all. Just how will this "smart grid", with its "smart meters" promote energy efficient choices? By allowing the energy company to know, not only know how much electricity you use, but when you use it, so they can charge you more for energy you use during peak hours. In some countries that have adopted this method, using electricity from midnight to 5am gets you a nearly 90% discount, but using it in the late afternoon and early evening costs nearly 175% more.

If you think about it, the meters we have now, tell the electric company how much electricity we use; can you think of anything else that you would want it to tell the electric company, anything that would help you or be of benefit to you? Of course not.

And keep this in mind. Do you think if the electric companies find a way to reduce your use of their product, that they are going to accept any less profits?

To get a better understanding of how the Tim Ryan's of the world think, just look at the latest fiasco created by our State politicians . They also had this great idea of reducing the amount of electricity we use. Of course without "smart meters", they just went ahead and "ordered" the electric companies to reduce "our" demand. When it became apparent that the companies were going to send us low energy bulbs, and charge us enough to retain their current profit margins ( all blessed by the PUCO) the politicians went into panic mode, blaming everyone but themselves.

Ryan, so determined to keep in good standing with the Democratic leadership, not withstanding their radical left wing agenda, will sign on to any crazy idea handed down from on high, because he believes he can not be voted from office. From Cap and Trade to the Smart Grid, all disastrous to Ohio.

Like our local politicians, he banks on reaping political benefits from these great sounding projects, and hopes that when it comes time to pay the piper, you won't remember that he selected the tune.

To learn more about "Smart Grids" and how they could effect you, you can start here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_grid

[Towntalk]

I wouldn't either the truth be told but the press corps would be up in arms if she tried. The reporters may not like Fox, but if Fox was black balled, it could be one of them next. An attack on one reporter is an attack on all reporters.

[sfc_oliver]

None taken, I'm not making the claim its true just that it's out there. Not that I wouldn't put it past Mz Pelosi.