Editorial: Consumers could pay dearly for clean energy bill

The Obama administration's monster energy bill is designed to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gases dramatically and stimulate millions of "green" jobs.

But many fear it will fall short of those goals and cost consumers a bundle.

Last week, the House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act by a narrow margin, 219-212, and now the measure goes to the Senate. All three West Virginia congressmen voted against it, and the state's two senators, Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, have expressed concerns about the bill, as well.

The bill raises numerous concerns for West Virginia -- not just the impact on the coal industry itself and the jobs it provides in the state, but also the effect on consumers here and across the nation who will pay more for energy.

Through a number of provisions, the legislation promotes cleaner energy technologies and energy efficiency, and according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll last week, almost three-quarters of the American people agree with that.

But the bill also mandates greater use of renewable energy sources -- even though they are generally more expensive -- and adds costs for cheaper power, such as coal-fired electrical plants, by capping carbon dioxide emissions. There also would be new energy-saving standards for buildings and appliances, as well as initiatives for greater energy efficiency in industry -- all of which sounds more expensive for the consumer, too.

There lies the problem. The same news poll shows a growing public opposition to paying more for cleaner energy, and the estimates of the costs vary widely.

Supporters of the bill estimate the average household would pay only an additional $80-$100 a year. Critics project the cost will be much higher -- from $1,000 to $1,700 a year per household -- and the impact on industry and agriculture could force jobs overseas and jack up food prices.

Not a pretty picture during a deep recession.

As Democrats, Byrd and Rockefeller certainly will feel a lot of pressure to support the Senate version of the energy bill, but we hope they will fight for a more reasonable balance between cleaner energy and higher costs.