Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), the Ranking Republican on the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, urged caution with regard to climate change legislation during a hearing on April 18 titled, "Geopolitical Implications of Rising Oil Dependence and Global Warming."
He said that the debate regarding global warming has not been marked by common sense, and has "created a lot of hot air, which hasn't been good for Congress." Sensenbrenner also said that media hype instills fear but does not create solutions.
Sensenbrenner believes that the proposed solutions would have devastating effects on the economy and argued that soaring electricity rates and jobs moving to other countries are some of the negative aspects that would result from climate change mitigation policies. Sensenbrenner stated that Republican members of the select committee care about both the environment and the economy and will work to protect both. He said that new technologies, coupled with increased solar, wind and nuclear power, could reduce carbon emissions.