(WIBW) - Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, is warning about the impact cap and tax legislation could have on Kansas.

At a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday, Roberts said a current bill going through the Senate is partisan and will cost Kansas jobs.

“At a time when just under seven percent of the Kansas work force is currently unemployed, having an honest and open debate of cap-and-tax proposals is extremely important,” Roberts said. “Kansans have long supported renewable energy and continue to make investments in these industries. These decisions are based on a mix of market conditions and consumer demand, not because of this cap-and-tax scheme.

“Cap-and-tax proposals which try and ration domestic energy production would lead to higher unemployment rates and a net loss for Kansas. Both in jobs and economic output. Kansas ranks 9th amongst oil and 8th amongst gas producing states. Together, oil and gas contributes nearly $350 million in state revenues each and every year and employs 28,000 men and women.

“In each of the last two years, the Kansas oil and gas industry invested over $1 billion into rural communities. You would be hard pressed to find an industry other than traditional, fossil fuels and agriculture who are able to do this.

“Three mid-sized Kansas communities, are home to the refinery industry. In McPherson, population 13,500, a small, farmer-owned cooperative refinery employs 640 hard working men and women. El Dorado, population 12,500, is home of a small refinery that employs 460 with an additional 150 full time contractors. And Coffeyville, population 10,350, yet another small refinery ,employs 650. Under the bill that was railroaded out of the EPW Committee last week, these three communities and many others in rural Kansas have told us they will suffer severe consequences. Higher taxes and job loss. And a greater dependence on volatile foreign energy.

“I know the proponents of cap-and-trade proposals talk about green job creation. But being a journalist, my trusty Webster Dictionary does not include the definition of a “green job.” What is a green job? And why should the federal government pick-pocket hard working Kansans if at the end of the bill there are little to no environmental benefits?”
Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and has been outspoken against current cap and tax proposals that will have dire financial consequences on Kansans and rural communities across the nation."