Cap and trade legislation concerns citizen
By Rick Charmoli
LAKE CITY - Tom Huxtable is a concerned citizen. He is concerned for a local industry and how cap and trade legislation is going to impact it.
The industry is Lake City Forge, and as a result of the cap and trade legislation, Huxtable decided to contact Rep. Dave Camp’s office.
Cap and trade is an environmental policy tool to reduce pollution that puts a mandatory cap on emissions while providing flexibility in how industries comply, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"I was just concerned about the potential of what the cap and trade legislation will do to an industry that needs utilities to operate," he said. "I went out to see them and thought it would be important that our representatives knew what could happen to a local business."
Camp’s Press Secretary Lauren Phillips said liaison Sharon Wise is scheduled to come to Lake City Forge on Thursday to discuss various topics of concern, including cap and trade. Phillips said considering that Lake City has a population of under 1,000 people and the Lake City Forge employs about 140 people, closure of the business would be devastating to the community.
"We are going there (to the plant) to get a sense of what their concerns are. They want to talk about cap and trade," Phillips said. "We need to focus on job creation and preservation."
As for Huxtable, he said his reason for contacting Camp’s office was simple: he didn’t want to see Lake City Forge close. His hope is that this will help elected leaders see the possible impact of cap and trade.
"I don’t want to see jobs leave our community. I’m concerned with what is going on in Washington. It is a little disheartening," he said. "I don’t want to see these guys go away. It is important for the vitality of the Lake City area."
Lake City Forge is a closed die hammer plant serving various industries throughout North America, Mexico, and the Far East. It is part of LC Manufacturing LLC.
The meeting with Wise is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
rcharmoli@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)
