*From:* Chuck.Grassley@grassley.senate.gov

 [mailto:Chuck.Grassley@grassley.senate.gov]

 *Sent:* Monday, September 21, 2009 12:23 PM

 *To:* dsfquaker@gmail.com

 *Subject:* Senator Chuck Grassley's response to your email.

 Thank you for taking the time to email me. As your senator, it is

 important for me to hear from you.

 I appreciate hearing your concerns regarding global climate change. I

 recognize that various predictions of global climate change have been

 a cause of concern for many and I believe that it is prudent to

 consider sensible steps to address potential future warming.

 Nevertheless, it is important that the American people understand that

 such proposals to limit emissions of certain gases come with

 significant costs both to families and the economy as a whole. The

 consensus among economists is that any scheme designed to reduce

 greenhouse gases would result in costs passed on to all Americans and

 therefore these proposals are effectively a national energy tax. It is

 important to be honest about this point and to weigh any environmental

 benefit against the inevitable costs.

 While I believe that it is prudent to consider sensible steps to

 address potential future warming, I have also always said that any

 environmental policy should be based on sound science, not political

 science. Virtually all scientists agree that the natural greenhouse

 effect contributes to warming, but we do not know the direct

 consequence natural variations in climate may have had on warming.

 Differences remain about how much our climate could change in the

 future, the pace of the possible change, or how human actions could

 impact it.

 Concentrations of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, have

 increased since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Although

 progress through technology to stabilize concentration of greenhouse

 gases has been made, there has not been a cost-effective method

 developed to capture carbon emissions at their source.

 The House of Representatives has passed legislation that would create

 a cap and trade system to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and

 other greenhouse gasses that are produced by various entities in our

 economy. Now, the relevant committees in the Senate will consider this

 legislation. Because of the complexity of this issue and the many

 implications of this legislation for our economy and our society, I

 expect extensive debate in the Senate.

 As a matter of fairness and in order to be more effective, I have

 repeatedly said that any effort to reduce greenhouse gasses should be

 addressed through an international agreement. In fact, EPA

 administrator Lisa Jackson has admitted in recent testimony that any

 unilateral action by the United States would provide no real

 environmental gain.

 In the meantime, the most effective action Congress can take now to

 address potential future climate change, as well as make our air

 cleaner and healthier, is to redouble our efforts to increase the

 availability of renewable and alternative energy sources. In fact, I

 have been a leader in the Senate in promoting alternative energy

 sources as a way of protecting our environment and increasing our

 energy independence. Your comments will be helpful to me as the Senate

 considers any legislation related to global warming concerns.

 Again, thank you for contacting me. I appreciate hearing your views

 and urge you to keep in touch.

 Sincerely,

 Chuck