Going over some of Benny Peiser’s invaluable CCNet roundups from last month while clearing my desk, I found a few interesting international stories that might help inform the upcoming domestic debate over McCain-Lieberman-Warner-Boxer-Whoever — the Kyoto-inspired, ETS-style, cap-and-trade legislation that will surely resurface next year. As noted previously, the early betting has Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski filling the retiring John Warner’s shoes as bipartisan cover for this bill whose goal is energy-rationing — a central plank in the Democrats’ anti-growth agenda.

Consider the following sampling:

•         “A senior business leader has warned the Government's carbon scheme ‘puts in jeopardy’ billions of dollars on potential investment. In a chilling prediction, Woodside Petroleum chief executive Don Voelte claims the emissions trading scheme could force companies to seek cheaper offshore options.” “Jobs will go abroad, business chief Don Voelte warns”, Herald Sun (Australia), July 18, 2008

•         “The aviation industry says the European Emissions Trading program will cripple an industry already struggling for survival under the weight of soaring jet fuel prices.” “EU Climate Policy Threatens to Cripple Airline Industry”, The Gazette, July 17, 2008

•         “German companies are threatening to leave the country. Thousands of jobs could be lost. According to calculations by the Federal Statistical Office and the Institute for Applied Ecology, a number of other German companies from industrial sectors other than the cement industry will relocate at least part of their businesses because of the new carbon trading scheme — either because of the rising cost of permits, or because of higher electricity prices.” “The EU’s Carbon Trading Scheme: Killing Jobs to Save the Climate”, Spiegel Online, July 17, 2008

•         “If that’s the shape the trading will take, we will simply move our cement operation to Ukraine,” a cement factory manager shouted into the lecture hall. “Then there won’t be any trading here, nothing will be produced here anymore — and the lights will simply go out here.” Spiegel Online, July 17, 2008.

So, folks, enjoy these low gasoline prices (and manufacturing jobs) while you got 'em!

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