CNSNews.com

International Cap-and-Trade Regime Could Benefit Organized Crime by Creating Carbon Credit Black Market, Senator Warns

Friday, July 31, 2009
By Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writer

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.) told the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on Thursday that cap and trade legislation may be a boon to organized crime in the United States. (Penny Starr/CNSNews.com)


(CNSNews.com) – Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.) said the cap-and-trade legislation passed by the House of Representatives could be a boon for organized crime in the United States by creating a carbon credit industry that could spawn fraud, money laundering and other criminal activities.

Barrasso spoke Thursday after a hearing by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that focused on climate change and national security.

“The hearing this morning was specifically about national security and climate change, and I view a big part of that is what Interpol is saying--187 different countries are involved--and they’re saying if you need carbon credits, the place to turn to is organized crime if we put in a cap-and-trade program.â€