The Idaho Legislature will send a memorial to Congress condemning proposed legislation to create a cap-and-trade system for some emissions and pollutants.  The Senate approved the memorial Friday on a voice vote.  The memorial passed the House on Feb. 23.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a cap-and-trade bill in June 2009.  Supporters say the system of limiting overall emissions would address global warming.

Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, said it's one of the most far-reaching proposals Congress has ever considered, which is why Idaho lawmakers need to send a message to Washington, D.C., opposing further progress on cap-and-trade.  “This bill will do nothing but lower the standard of living in the United States,” Pearce said.  “It’s an energy tax in disguise. The goal is to drive up the cost so that we use less of it.” He said higher energy costs would especially hurt the poor, disabled, elderly, and those on fixed incomes. “If this passes, it will increase poverty and increase starvation throughout the world ... Every facet of our lives will be affected.”

The memorial says that cap-and-trade would cause farm income to drop 94 percent, in excess of $50 billion, by 2035 and would fail to accomplish its intended environmental goals. The memorial now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Read the text of the memorial here.