By Eleanor Boudreau
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-903204.mp3
Memphis, TN – The American Power Act introduced in the Senate last week aims to create jobs and decrease U.S. dependency on foreign energy, partly by putting a price on carbon emissions.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham helped to draft early versions of legislation but when the legislation was introduced there were only two names on it--Democrat John Kerry and Independent Joseph Lieberman.
Today in a phone press conference organized by the Tennessee Business Leaders for a Clean Energy Economy, panelists trumpeted the bill in the hopes that Tennessee's Republican Senators will vote for it, and the red, coal mining state will move towards a green economy.
Ron Kenedi of Sharp Solar which manufactures solar panels in Memphis was in on the call. He said Sharp employs about 500 people in the Memphis area.
When asked if the legislation could increase energy prices, the panelists said the price of energy is already going up.
Senate Majority Leader Democrat Harry Reid will decide whether the bill gets voted on.