The Shadow
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., recently joined members of the 60 Plus Association, including its founder and Chairman Jim Martin, at an event unveiling a new study by energy economist Gene Trisko that finds high electric and energy prices are disproportionately impacting senior citizens.
Among the study’s findings:
— Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations will increase electric prices at rates above the general rate of inflation.
— The suite of new regulations EPA is now pursuing inevitably will lead to ever‐higher utility prices for America’s elderly population, exceeding the modest cost‐of living (COLA) adjustments that many 65+ retirees depend upon just to keep up with inflationary pressures.
— Energy costs are adversely impacting lower‐income seniors afflicted by health conditions, leading them to forego food for a day, reduce medical or dental care, and fail to pay utility bills (APPRISE, 2009).
After the event, Griffith issued the following statement:
“I have sought and continue seeking answers from EPA officials about the impacts their burdensome regulations will have not only on jobs and the economy, but also the impacts these policies will have on the poor and elderly through increased heating and cooling prices. Based on their failure to answer my questions, it appears the risk to the health of people who might be unable to afford increased energy costs was not evaluated by the EPA in its endangerment finding for carbon dioxide. I am left to believe theirs is a callous disregard for seniors and others.
“I cannot fathom the Administration’s refusal to acknowledge the impact these policies will have on electric reliability. I cannot fathom how this Administration can push through policies that raise energy costs while suggesting that funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and similar programs be cut. I cannot fathom the Administration’s callous disregard for the impact these policies will have on the most vulnerable in our society. How will people needing this assistance that have had their energy costs increased by other policies from this Administration survive without these funds?
“Then-Sen. Obama said in a 2008 editorial board meeting with the San Francisco Chronicle: ‘When I was asked earlier about the issue of coal, you know, under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket. Even regardless of what I say about whether coal is good or bad. Because I’m capping greenhouse gases, coal power plants, you know, natural gas, you name it, whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, uh, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers.
“This comment has always troubled me. When Obama said ‘consumers,’ he included you and me. He included the senior citizens worried sick about how they’re going to cover the cost of food, medical bills, and yes, the light and heat bill each month. He included the single moms trying to hold down a job, raise children, and pay their bills – such as the bill to keep the lights and heat on.”
“The fight against these policies will – must – continue. American families deserve stability and security. The very consumers that President Obama’s policies are going to cost money are the middle class Americans seeking certainty and trying to get by in this stagnant economy. And these consumers are among those people I must continue fighting for.”
