AEP President Says No to Cap and Trade
CEO speaks at Marshall chamber eventBy CASEY JUNKINS
Article Photos
MOUNDSVILLE - Whether U.S. senators call it "pollution reduction and investment" or "cap and trade," Michael Morris knows the climate change bill currently before Congress is a bad deal for West Virginia and Ohio.
"We continue to argue on behalf of our customers, argue on behalf of our shareholders and argue on behalf of America and its manufacturing capacity to continue to have the opportunity to compete in a very competitive global marketplace," said Morris, chairman, president and chief executive officer of American Electric Power. AEP operates the Kammer Mitchell Plant south of Moundsville and the Cardinal Plant in Brilliant.
During his Wednesday speech to those attending the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner, Morris made note of a new bill introduced by U.S. Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., that changes "cap and trade" to "pollution reduction and investment."
"We have met mayhem - it's in Washington, D.C.," he said regarding the opposition of some to using coal and fossil fuels to produce energy.
Earlier this year, the U.S. House passed cap and trade legislation by a 219-212 count. U.S. Reps. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., and Charlie Wilson, D-Ohio, opposed the bill. U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio, voted for the measure.
The Senate bill calls for a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, a goal Morris said "may or may not be accomplishable."
"If this is not global, we will argue against it. We would love to have better terms. ... We would have to pass the costs along to our customers," he said of the cost of cap and trade legislation.
Morris, however, acknowledged that global warming is a legitimate phenomenon that politicians and entrepreneurs should address.
"We do not stand in the way, at AEP, in having a global warming bill. ... We want to stretch the dates out - make them more realistic," he said. Morris said he prefers to call the process "global warming" as opposed to "climate change."
Morris said the Sierra Club is lobbying Congress to take the use of coal off the board completely, focusing instead on only solar and wind power. But he said solar energy costs AEP 22.5 cents per kilowatt hour to produce, with coal costing only 3.5 cents for the same energy.
"Solar and wind are economically inefficient. ... I would argue that we should have new coal plants, and will," Morris said of the future for coal.
Morris acknowledged the efforts of U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., in the fight to ensure coal's future. He said the Mountain State senators need to join those from the Midwest and South to oppose the legislation brought forth by those representing the East and West Coasts.
"West Virginia, Ohio and all along the Ohio River Valley - we are energy producers," he said.
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dmxem20011
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10-06-09 6:45 PM
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We have been in a cooling period the past 8 years here on Earth. You should look into sun spotting as well as the sun's activity is supposed to be minimal for the next year or so. it really shows a lot of what is happening from a science-based perspective. the same science-based stuff the obama administration said they would use not this crap they have been pulling
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goodboy
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10-03-09 12:12 PM
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dolphin3111, Yes, Mr. goodboy, I stated that God created the earth AND the laws of Thermodynamics by which the Sun affects the temperature cycles on earth." Explain. First starting with God, then tell me all you know about thermodynamics. Don't try to claim the second law proves C02 doesn't trap heat. Because in typical republican fashion it's a lie of omission. The second law of thermodynamics says that all processes proceed in one direction. Heat flows from a hot object to a cold object, never the reverse. While it is not possible to make heat flow from cold to hot, it is possible to slow down heat transfer without contravening the second law of thermodynamics. dolphin3111, "I am in no way embarrassed about that statement !" ignorance is bliss.
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goodboy
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10-03-09 12:05 PM
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Ellis, "If it happened naturally throughout 99.999999% of the Earth's history, why are we to believe that it is different THIS TIME?" Because science tells us it's true. Ellis, "Are we to believe that, all of a sudden, the change in climate is due to our SUVs?" No, idiot. Burning fossil fuels is only one of many things human do that are exacerbating and accelerating climate change. Ellis, "Seems a bit arrogant to think that human activity can change the climate that dramatically." Spoken like a true idiot, who doesn't know what he's talking about. You know, once upon a time people were convinced that the earth was flat. Ellis, "Even more arrogant is the assumption that humans can override Mother Nature." that's only your worthless opinion. We're killing the planet. Whether you believe it or not - your grandchildren, and their grandchildren will pay for it too...closing your eyes, plugging your ears and stomping your feet won't c
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dolphin3111
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10-02-09 7:19 PM
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React and Ellis, Well said.
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EllisWyatt
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10-02-09 7:07 PM
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The Earth has gone through dozens of heating and cooling cycles BEFORE human beings ever burned fossil fuels. If it happened naturally throughout 99.999999% of the Earth's history, why are we to believe that it is different THIS TIME? If 2+ 2 = 4 in 999,999,999 of 1 billion cases, why would you assume that 2 + 2 = 5 in case # 1,000,000,001? Sunspots, volcanoes, ocean currents, etc. have affected the Earth's temperature since the planet was formed. Are we to believe that, all of a sudden, the change in climate is due to our SUVs? Seems a bit arrogant to think that human activity can change the climate that dramatically. Even more arrogant is the assumption that humans can override Mother Nature.
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Reactionary
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10-02-09 5:15 PM
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Dolph----There is more than one atheist that habiyayes these posts. Don't sweat the small stuff. You can't argue with an idiot.....AND they WILL prove it!
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Reactionary
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10-02-09 5:13 PM
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Budman--11:18---Natural gas and coal fired electric have to "Skyrocket" in price in order to make "alternative energy" attractive. The USA will be forced down this road, right or wrong. The Govt will gain more power and influence over society; the movers and shakers in the eco movement will make fabulous fortunes, and the USA will turn back to a de-industrialized, agrarian society..... WE LOSE!!....America loses.....CHINA W I N S !!
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dolphin3111
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10-02-09 4:46 PM
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Yes, Mr. goodboy, I stated that God created the earth AND the laws of Thermodynamics by which the Sun affects the temperature cycles on earth. I am in no way embarrassed about that statement !
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goodboy
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10-02-09 3:51 PM
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dolphin3111 are you now going to claim you didn't say this, "The earth has been going through temperature cycles since God created it and the laws of Thermodynamics. Those cycles, like todays cycle were controlled by our only source of heat, the Sun and Sunspot activity" I would be embarrassed if I were you also.
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dolphin3111
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10-02-09 3:45 PM
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goodboy, you have quite a mentally deranged imagination. I wish you the best of luck in your recovery.
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goodboy
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10-02-09 11:58 AM
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No I'm saying that he's a moron because he believes in a book that has talking animals, wizards, witches, demons, sticks turning into snakes, food falling from the sky, people walking on water, and all sorts of magical, absurd and primitive stories, and that some celestial father made the universe and everything in it but global warming caused by humans is fake science!!!
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cory1978
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10-02-09 11:52 AM
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goodboy Are you calling a person a moron because they believe in God?
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goodboy
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10-02-09 11:42 AM
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dolphin3111, "The earth has been going through temperature cycles since God created it and the laws of Thermodynamics. Those cycles, like todays cycle were controlled by our only source of heat, the Sun and Sunspot activity. Not by a mere 385 parts/million CO2 in the atmosphere." HAHAHAHAHAHA! You say "god" created earth, and then go on to reference real scientific laws that actually DISPROVE your sunspot theory. What is your proof of god? You are a moron. Waiting...
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Thebudman
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10-02-09 11:18 AM
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What's not being reported on the MSM is the Obama Administration is working to remove all tax subsidies to domestic oil & natural gas producers. The end result will be higher prices for the consumer. Now, put on top of that a cap & trade tax, you will be paying triple at the pump. Solution, buy a bicycle.
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cory1978
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10-02-09 8:16 AM
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NowInMontana: Of course it didn't work but I never expected it to. I know we would be in a even bigger mess if McCain and *cough* Palin were in office. I tried to pick the less of the two evils and I think I made the right choice. Unfortunately 3rd party candidates really don't make a big difference which I am trying to change. Wish me luck!
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wonderwhy
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10-02-09 7:09 AM
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Ellis- R u kidding? your post was as vitrol as any others on here. what a bunch of c ra p to have to read first thing in the morning. get a grip!
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EllisWyatt
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10-02-09 6:05 AM
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GymJones You are an internet tough guy. That means you are obviously a coward in your real life. I'll bet you've never had an original thought or stood up for an idea. That would mean you would have had to HAVE an original idea and the balls to stand up for it. You have neither. I've dealt with your kind many times. Cyber Tough Guy. You are a piece of S-H-I-T and you know it. Why don't you take the D-I-C-K out of your mouth (or your A-S-S) and go drink the Kool-Aid. Please do the world a favor and end your miserable life. You are taking up too much oxygen and producing too much CO2. You are destroying the environment! Now, go pull a Kurt Cobain. We'll all be thankful, tough guy.
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EllisWyatt
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10-02-09 6:01 AM
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dolphin Thanks for answering some of those questions. I already knew the answers but I wanted to see if the liberals here could explain themselves. From now on, whenever the subjects of fossil fuels or "climate change" pop up, I will post the same questions and see if any of the liblabs have the sac to answer. Of course, they won't, because "climate change" is as big a joke as they are. Like P.T. Barnum said "there's a sucker born every minute".
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NowInMontana
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10-01-09 11:37 PM
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Al Gore is not about earth as religion. The people and philosophies listed below are about earth as religion. This ir real left wing stuff not Al Gore fluff. *******en.wikipedia****/wiki/David_Foreman *******en.wikipedia****/wiki/Edward_Abbey ***********dhushara****/book/renewal/voices2/recol.htm *******en.wikipedia****/wiki/Murray_Bookchin Take a peek and see what the left really thinks about environmental issues.
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Shark88
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10-01-09 11:05 PM
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Common sense has gone to the wayside in this country. There is no such thing as global warming and as Dolphin3111 points out it is all about money, power, and control. Al Gore and his liberal shysters have made a religion out of this global warming thing and also a lot of money. Take a look at Al Gore's book "Earth In The Balance"; what a bunch of nonsense. Big problem is that the liberal professors and instructors teach this crap to the students. It is a form of worshiping the earth. Our liberal government has once again tried to stir a crisis among the people scaring them in to idea that global warming is a fact and a threat. It is not. It still gets warm in the summer and cold in the winter. The Almighty created the seasons and it ain't gonna change until He changes things, not mortal man. Global warming....give me a break!
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GymJones
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10-01-09 10:56 PM
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And you thought the health care debate was full of ignorant SOB's. Wait until this shiat storm hits. The Bubbas will be demanding blood for their corporate overlords. Guess what Bubbas? You lost, get the ffucck over it. Consequences biatches!!!
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Reactionary
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10-01-09 9:42 PM
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Kubotaman--I think truthinpolitics is actually truthseeker, in disguise of course. The one thing about Cap & TAX is that it ONLY affects the USA and the way WE conduct business within our borders. It has no effect outside the borders and the rest of the world will do business as usual. The US economy will bite the dust and the eco-doo-gooders can pat themselves on the back as say what a great job they did to save the earth from global warming. IMHO, all Cap & TAX will do is transform the USA into a country on the order of Albania or Uzbekistan.
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Kubotaman
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10-01-09 9:19 PM
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BigMike: Your logic astounds me! I would debate you on it...but I get the feeling it would be like debating with a lump of coal.
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Kubotaman
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10-01-09 9:14 PM
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TruthinPolitics: Obama is the one not to trust. And since when is it a crime for a CEO to look out for his company?
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TruthinPolitics
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10-01-09 9:02 PM
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Why the*****would people trust anything another CEO says? How many millions did he make last year? He is interested in his bottom line, not yours.
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