posted                      

quote:

---

With a payoff worth billions at stake, Enron Corporation laid out millions apparently in support of the Kyoto global warming treaty.

Enron hoped to cash in on Kyoto by masterminding a worldwide trading network in which major industries could buy and sell credits to emit carbon dioxide � which some scientists and most environmentalists believe contributes to global warming.

The firm appeared to be on the verge of success when Vice President Al Gore signed the Kyoto treaty in November 1998. The treaty required the U.S. to reduce CO2 emissions by 7 percent from 1990 levels.

The Clinton Administration's interest in fighting global warming meshed with Enron's dream of huge profits from related investments. Kyoto ratification would have forced the U.S. to switch from coal-fired power plants to ones fueled by cleaner-burning natural gas. The trading surge in emission credits would have funneled cash to Enron.

When the Senate examined the potential economic impact of a global warming treaty, it voted 95-0 to urge the White House not to send it any treaty that would harm the economy.

Studies by impartial third parties show why: The Energy Information Administration, the official forecasting arm of the Energy Department, found that meeting the Kyoto limits would increase gasoline prices by over 50 percent and electricity prices by 86 percent, and decrease GDP by 4.2 percent.

A study by Dr. Stephen Brown, Senior Economist of the Federal Reserve Bank of Texas, found that under a best case scenario, reducing CO2 emissions 7 percent below 1990 levels would represent a loss of between 3 to 4.3 percent of U.S. GDP. That's $921 to $1,320 per person and $3,684 to $5,280 for a family of four. Under a worst-case scenario Kyoto would cost the average family of four $6,400 a year.

When it became apparent that Kyoto had little chance of Senate approval, Enron began seeking ways to implement its provisions through backdoor means.

CEO Kenneth Lay signed Enron onto the Business Environmental Leadership Council of the Pew Center for Global Climate Change, a left-leaning think-tank. The Pew Center has waged an expensive propaganda campaign to convince journalists that global warming is a dire threat.

Enron also joined two far-left environmental groups � the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Natural Resources Defense Council � in calling for new curbs on emitting CO2 into the atmosphere.

President Bush's political rivals have expended a fair amount of energy trying to tie the White House to Enron, but it was they and their allies who were, politically-speaking, in bed with Enron on this crucial policy question.

---

posted                      

quote:

---

A report conducted by Management Information Services, Inc. found black family income could decline by an average of $2,220 and 864,000 black jobs could be at risk. As many as 100,000 black and Hispanic businesses could also face ruin as energy costs increase and the ability to turn a profit decreases.

---

quote:

---

When you're a struggling black family already spending a larger percentage of your income on these necessities than everyone else, it leads to serious decisions. Air conditioning, heat or the convenience of a car may be sacrificed so other bills can be paid. And pray there are no medical emergencies or unexpected expenses.

Who benefits from the Kyoto Protocol? China, Russia and Brazil, among others, are exempt from it. While our nation has shown environmental concern in the past and promoted cleaner manufacturing practices and improved car emissions, countries that have not are being rewarded.

Bill Clinton once signed an executive order charging the government with promoting "environmental justice" to protect minorities from undue environmental harm.

By potentially reducing our wages, raising our cost of living, putting us out of work and destroying our businesses, the Kyoto Protocol is an environmental threat to black America. If the government is going to meet its commitment, it can make sure the Kyoto Protocol is never imposed upon us.

---

quote:

---

(John Meredith is a member of the African-American leadership network Project 21 and is a board member of two community-based non-profit organizations, a consultant for an educational organization and the national co-chairman of minority outreach for an independent election monitoring organization. He can be reached at [email protected].)

---