Mike Carey, president of the Ohio Coal Association (OCA), issued the following statement in response to the passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of the Waxman-Markey "cap-and-trade" bill:
"This legislation will have a drastic impact on Ohio's economy by eliminating jobs in eastern and southern Ohio and increasing consumer costs throughout the state. Ohio's economy is under siege – dramatically rising jobless rates and a gloomy overall financial picture for the state. Clearly, there is little doubt that any bill that will negatively impact jobs or our state's economic competitiveness should have been seriously questioned. And yet, today, the U.S. House failed to do that - passing legislation with no regard for its negative effect on the Buckeye state. Today was not a day the people of Ohio, especially those in hard-hit areas of Appalachia where coal jobs are so essential, were well represented by House Democrats.
"We want to praise the leadership of Rep. Charlie Wilson for standing up for Ohio's coal families in Appalachia and opposing the cap and trade tax. The mandatory carbon-emission reductions outlined in this bill will bring deep cuts in coal production. Not only the coal industry is impacted, but all Ohio companies dependent upon competitive utility costs and all Ohioans who would pay higher electricity costs alike will see the far-reaching negative effects of this legislation. As Ohioans fight to regain economic stability, this is terrible news out of Washington that can only take us further into the depths of economic despair and job losses."
The Ohio Coal Association (OCA) is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of Ohio's underground and surface coal mining producers. The OCA represents nearly 40 coal producing companies and more than 50 Associate Members, which include suppliers and consultants to the mining industry, coal sales agents and brokers and allied industries. The Ohio Coal Association is committed to advancing the development and utilization of Ohio coal as an abundant, economic and environmentally sound energy source.