Ceilidh

Michael Zey
futurist3000@aol.com

   WASHINGTON, May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Today United for Jobs warned workers
that the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act will cost the U.S. economy
over 600,000 jobs and that new language in the bill dealing with nuclear power
does nothing to reduce the economic impacts of the cap and trade provisions of
the bill.
   A recent study conducted by Charles River Associations that shows under
McCain-Lieberman:

   * Household purchasing power would be reduced by as much as $2,255 per
     family

   * More than 600,000 U.S. jobs would be eliminated

   * Electricity costs would be increased by 43%

   * U.S. economic output reduced -- Gross National Product would decline by
     1.7%

   "America's economy is intrinsically linked to the availability and
affordability of energy.  In order to build a strong economy and create more
jobs, we need reliable and affordable energy supplies.  By dramatically
increasing the cost of energy for consumers and businesses, McCain-Lieberman
would have the opposite effect," said Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO of the
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council and co-chair of United for Jobs.
   "Sen. McCain has done nothing to change the fact that his bill will
increase energy prices, eliminate over 600,000 jobs and stagnate the economy.
New language for nuclear energy does nothing to negate the damaging economic
impact of the cap and trade provisions," Harry Alford, President and CEO of
National Black Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of United for Jobs, said.
   Kerrigan also said, "The promotion of nuclear power in this bill will not
change the dynamics of its impact -- that is, it will ration energy. While
nuclear power can become an effective, safe and reliable source of energy for
America, its introduction into this particular legislation does nothing to
alter the fact that the Climate Stewardship Act will cost Americans jobs and
purchasing power."

   United for Jobs (www.united4jobs.com) is a project of the National
Black Chamber of Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council and
National Association of Neighborhoods.


SOURCE United for Jobs
Web Site: www.united4jobs.com