No Scientists or Environmentalists at Herbert & Hatch’s Cap and Trade Forum

A forum being held at the Utah Capitol today on the federal cap and trade bill in Congress appears to be stacked entirely with speakers who oppose the legislation. But Governor Gary Herbert, who’s participating in the discussion, told reporters last week that he wanted to hear all sides of the climate change debate and focus on the science.

03-ENERGY 1 :13 “… dictate what policy is.”

“It should be about scientific opinion that leads public opinion. We ought to let the science, I support President Barak Obama when he said, ‘Let’s let the science and not ideology dictate what policy is.’”

But today’s public forum, which Herbert is co-hosting with Senator Orrin Hatch, won’t include a single scientist or environmental group. Instead, Hatch has invited representatives from the agriculture and oil industries to discuss what the financial impact of the bill will be.

Clair Jones with the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club says she was surprised to see Herbert is co-hosting the forum, considering his recent comments about wanting to hear from all sides of the debate.

03-ENERGY 2 :18 “… could have for our state.”

“It’s really mystifying to me why he would then be so quick to host a cost-benefit analysis of the Waxman-Markey bill without even inviting anyone who can accurately represent the benefit that this bill could have for our state.”

Herbert’s spokeswoman said the governor is attending the event at the request of Senator Hatch. She says he’s still committed to hosting a larger, more in-depth climate change forum where all parties will be represented, including scientists and environmental groups.