Lummis To Obama: Boost U.S. Economy, Not Stifle It

Press Release

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., has sent a letter to President Barack Obama calling on him to redirect stimulus funding towards the purchase of advanced energy technology from American-owned manufacturers for heavily polluting Chinese power plants in return for selling back some of the more than $800 billion in debt held by the Chinese.

"As President Obama opines in Copenhagen about the various environmental mandates he is willing to impose upon America's energy, manufacturing, and transportation industries and consumers, we in Congress considered yet another increase of the debt ceiling due to the lack of commitment to keep spending in check," Lummis said.

"China is one of the largest holders of U.S. securities -- around $800 billion. China is also the largest carbon emitting nation in the world. And yet, while it is a participant in this week's meetings in Copenhagen, China is held to a different standard as a developing nation. This is the same nation building a new coal-fired power plant almost weekly in order to meet their ever-growing energy demands -- all without the same environmental standards that are required to be met here in the U.S."

The letter asks President Obama to pursue an agreement to redirect stimulus dollars towards the purchase of Best Available Control Technology (BACT) equipment and services from American-owned manufacturers to be employed at existing or future coal-fired power plants in China. In return for these services, China would "sell-back" a predetermined amount of U.S. Treasuries commensurate with the value of the services rendered.

The letter, signed by three members of Congress in addition to Lummis, states: "China has recently expressed an interest in obtaining green technologies to produce energy in a more environmentally responsible manner. American ingenuity created much of this technology. The desired result of this proposal would be a reduction in global pollution levels and a lowering of the federal debt, all through the use of federal stimulus dollars for the very purpose the President originally proposed -- the creation of American jobs and economic recovery through the promotion of American innovation.

"On November 16th of this year, you (President Obama) stated that: "During these difficult economic times, we have a responsibility to consider all good ideas to encourage and accelerate job creation in this country09.' We agree."

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