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SOUTH CAROIJNA
0021224-6972

UNITED STATES SENATE

March 1, 2010

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Deal.Is:
Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts on climate change legislation. I appreciate the
opportunity to hear from you.
While there is still debate about the causes and impact of climate change, there is no question we have an
obligation to reduce carbon pollution. The time has come to address this issue in a responsible way that
creates jobs and ends our dependence on foreign oil.

As you know, in recent months there has been a lot of talk surrounding various climate bills. While I
oppose the climate measure passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year, the so-called
Waxman-Markey bill, and the bill introduced in the Senate by Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer, I
do support drafting legislation that expands the role of nuclear power, opens access to the outer
continental shelf for drilling, and reduces carbon pollution.

For too long our nation has been dependent on oil and energy from foreign regimes who are not friendly
to our national interests. We are more dependent on foreign oil now than at any point in our history. Our
growing appetite for energy has also become a very serious national security issue.

By including nuclear power and increased drilling of offshore oil and gas in a reasonable climate change
bill, we can dramatically improve our energy security and stop sending nearly $1 billion overseas
everyday to purchase foreign oil. In addition, offshore drilling provisions can result in hundreds of
millions of dollars per year coming into South Carolina through revenue sharing. This money can be used
to create private sector jobs, improve our schools, repair out states transportation infrastructure, and pay
down our state's growing debts.

As the largest source of clean energy, nuclear power must be included in the formula to address climate
change. Nuclear power represents an efficient, economic and environmentally conscientious energy
source. We must begin to focus on developing new nuclear power plants, creating safe options to
minimize nuclear waste, and establishing incentives for low carbon power usage. I believe that leaving
nuclear power out of the solution is attempting to solve a problem without utilizing all of our options.

One of the issues that looms large in the climate debate and could be potentially devastating to the
economy is aggressive Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action. Without legislation by Congress,
'the EPA is required to regulate greenhouse gases, an outcome of the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in
Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency. This means unelected bureaucrats at the EPA will
lave regulations that could cripple our economy. In fach othe EPA took their first140ste
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an endangerment finding determined that greenhouse gases are hazardous to human health. My proposal
would include preempting EPA action, expanding offshore drilling, and jumpstarting our nuclear energy
program. If Congress does not act soon, EPA regulations alone could result in annual cost to our
economy that exceeds $600 billion.

With successful legislation, South Carolina has a golden opportunity to lead the pack in a new clean
energy economy. Our state, which trails in many areas, is uniquely positioned to be one of the states to
benefit the most from clean energy legislation. Further, South Carolina manufacturers and farmers
already creating wind turbines, hydrogen technologies, biomass, and other new technologies will prosper
under my plan. Investing in new energy technologies will create millions of new jobs and benefit our
struggling economy. I have been on the forefront of climate change legislation because I am hopeful that
a cleaner, safer, and stronger America can become a reality.

Thank you again for taking the time to write. If I can be of service to you or your family in the future,
please do not hesitate to call on me.

Sincerely,

Lindsey 0. Graham
United States Senator

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