Republican state Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) views Chicago Democrats' push for the "Green New Deal" as a misguided attack on gas and oil that will harm the people of his community.
“That Green New Deal is a raw deal for Southern Illinois and a continued assault on business and jobs,” Miller wrote in a March 18 press release. “The Green New Deal is a set of goals aimed at addressing climate change and income inequality. The extremists propose to rapidly move the United States to a fossil fuel-free economy in just 10 years, while at the same time guaranteeing everyone a job and a living wage. Lofty and unrealistic goals.”
Miller argues that all the data supplied by the International Energy Agency, which advocates for a balanced approach, supports his position.
Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland)
“Renewable sources of energy (wind, solar, hydroelectric, biofuels, etc.) can’t realistically meet the world’s growing energy needs,” he added. “The International Energy Agency’s most optimistic low-carbon forecast for 2040 points out that renewables – including hydro and biofuels – will only be able to meet about 30 percent of energy demand. Oil and gas will form about half of the energy mix then, just as they do now. So, as it turns out, oil and gas will have to come to the aid of the ‘green deal’ sources of energy to be able to heat homes, run trains and automobiles, and keep the computers and cell phones powered.”
Miller predicts the passage of the Green New Deal here in Illinois will mean fewer businesses and less jobs for the state.
“People will have to move their businesses from Illinois to Indiana, Kentucky or any number of neighboring states with friendlier economic environments that don’t have higher property taxes, sales taxes, higher income taxes, higher business taxes, business fees, business regulation or a higher minimum wage at $15/hour,” he added.
By Miller’s estimation, there are now more than 36,000 oil wells in Illinois with 8.8 million barrels produced annually, accounting for at least 14,000 jobs and more than $700 million in taxes paid to the state.
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