Tennessee Comes Out on Short End Under LCFS

Published in Saturday's Nashville Tennessean

By State Representative Susan Lynn, 57th District


TennesseeThe Waxman-Markey legislation has received a lot of attention for its Cap & Trade scheme; its been passed by the US House of Representatives and is currently being considered by the US Senate. Yet little has been made of something called LCFS or Low-Carbon Fuel Standards which would fundamentally alter the way in which Americans acquire, process and consume energy.

The New York Times reported that LCFS could be “extremely costly.”

A group of professors from California and North Carolina said the plan “cannot be efficient.”

And a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations said it “would exacerbate energy security problems without delivering compensating climate benefits.”

Unfortunately for Tennessee, our senior senator seems to be supportive of talk for a future Public Act requiring LCFS in the United States Code.Advocates claim that LCFS policy is a pain-free way to clean up our transportation sector while cutting down on tailpipe emissions of carbon dioxide.

Pain free? The laws of natural science and political science suggest otherwise. Despite Congress’s best efforts, the carbon content of the fuel in our gas tank is constant – emitting 19.4 pounds of carbon dioxide no matter where you get the gas, what kind of vehicle you put it in, or even which number octane you choose.

Yet to LCFS proponents, everybody wins – that is assuming you don’t drive a car, heat a home, or need a job.

The scheme attempts to take a bite out of global greenhouse gas emissions by having the federal government assign a carbon score to various fuel supplies based on the amount of energy it takes to bring those fuels through each stage of its production process – from finding the oil, to acquiring it, to transporting it, to refining it, and finally to using it in our vehicles in the form of gasoline or diesel.

As mentioned, since all fuels emit the same amount of carbon dioxide during combustion, what LCFS is really addressing is those fuels that are more energy intensive to bring to market.

Eliminate from circulation the reliable, affordable, fuels from friendly sources that dominate the market -- like the 2.5 million barrels of Canadian crude we import a day, and much of California’s and Colorado’s oil -- and we can clear the path for less affordable and less politically friendly forms of energy to have a stronger footing in our marketplace.

The scheme would initiate a de facto ban on North American oil purchases – crude oil from Canada, Mexico and much of the mid-Atlantic that policymakers in Washington find too “heavy” for their discriminating tastes.

Why aren’t LCFS advocates tripping over themselves to let you in on exactly who produces the “light, sweet” crude oil they desire? Maybe it’s because the answer is the Middle East, Africa, and just about every unstable, dictatorial regime in between.

Show of hands: Who prefers oil from Canada – our most important trading partner – over supplies controlled by OPEC?

Discriminating against North American energy would not only weaken our economic position in the global economy but it also would be a major blow to our national security.

So, what would a successful LCFS deliver? Increased American dependence on foreign oil. Check. More good-paying American jobs sent overseas. Check. Higher energy costs for every consumer. Check. And, since the “heavy” oil we reject will be gobbled up by our chief global competitors in India and China, higher worldwide carbon emissions to boot. Checkmate.

Let’s speak-up and let’em know we don't like any explanation of this one.

Start Representative Susan Lynn is the Chairman of the Government Operations Committee in the state of Tennessee House of Representatives; she is in her fourth term. She is the Chairman of the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force for the American Legislative Exchange Council; an organization of 2000 conservative, free market legislators from across the nation (alec.org).

RNC Honors Women's Equality Day

Michael Steele and the RNC choose to honor Women's Equality Day today with a video saluting women in GOP politics.

I am very honored to be included in this salute; my GOP family heritage extends back to the WHIGs with my ancestor President William Henry Harrison.



Thank you to the RNC for remembering this great day, to the GOP for helping to grant women the right to vote and to Tennessee for being the 20th state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which officially made womens' right to vote a permanent part of our Constitution.

Energy Citizens

Energy Citizens is hosting a rally against the Cap & Trade bill at the Wild Horse Saloon.

I will be speaking along with State Senator Jack Johnson and talk radio host Ralph Bristol.

The event is on Tuesday, August 25, 2009. Doors open at 11:30 am. Rally begins at 12:30 pm.

Energy Citizens web site: http://energycitizens.org/.

Photo of Senate Announcement

Susan with husband Michael and family friend Col. Mackey.

Mt. Juliet, TN.

August 17, 2009

Remarks from Press Conference

I want to thank my husband Michael for being here to support me and for helping me to arrive at my decision here today. I wish our son was here too, but he is a Staff Sergeant in the TN Air Guard and he is in Africa right now, and our sweet daughter Grace and her husband Ben are working this morning.


I first ran for the office of state representative at 38 years old. My first year of service was at 39, and now at 45 I want to say thank you once again to the people of my district for allowing me to serve them and to state that serving in the Tennessee General Assembly has been one of the greatest privileges and opportunities of my life.

With that same sense of gratitude to the voters, I announce that I will file next April to run for state senate in district 17 in order to expand and extend the mission of public service on which I embarked in 2002.

My first professional job was working for Scientific Utility Products Corporation as a manufacturer’s sales representative; there I studied important disciplines like service, delivery and follow-up from authors that seem like friends such as Harvey McKay, Zig Zigler, and Dale Carnegie. Believe it or not, their witness helped lead me to Christ. I learned about excellence from Nicklaus Golf Equipment - what a wonderful organization. At the Colony Hotel I was taught precision. From Lee Harrison; multi-tasking and on my own I learned compassion for the small business person.

Each of these jobs in their own way prepared me for running for public office.

But when I say that for me, public service is a mission, it really is. A mission I have fully dedicated myself to so that I can serve my fellow citizens as their voice in a way that they would do for themselves.

Since our state senator's announcement this past June that she intends to seek the office of Wilson County Mayor in 2010, I have spent time traveling throughout the 17th District in order to meet the people and visit with the local elected officials. This wonderful experience has brought me many new friends, and I have learned much about the strengths and needs of the area.

It is evident that an attentive and experienced legislator is what is necessary to immediately start meeting the needs of the area. I would be proud to accept the challenge of working for my fellow citizens throughout the 17th district to help with the many infrastructure, economic development and education needs of the area; whether working to bring new jobs to Clay County, voting to finance the repair of bridges in Smith and DeKalb Counties or helping with school improvements in the upper Cumberland region; I pledge to the citizens that I will do my best to help with the crucial needs of the area just as I have dedicated myself to the issues of Sumner and Wilson Counties over the past seven years.

Through my strong conservative convictions I work to support Jeffersonian Principles such as limited government, states' rights, free enterprise and our constitutional rights. By traveling the 17th district what I have found is that the citizens of the area are like me; they’re conservative; and I am proud to share my strong conservative record with them; much of which is documented on my new website at http://www.votesusanlynn.com/.

I look forward to working for the citizens of the 17th district and will make sure that government stays within the bounds of its purpose, ensures that free enterprise is easily conducted, offers a quality education to get our young people off to the best start and so that government creates and maintains safe transportation corridors.

With great excitement, I look forward to undertaking this challenge.

If you are in the 17th district, I ask you today for your vote and for your support.

Thank you for being here.

Lynn for State Senate Press Release

State Rep. Susan Lynn (R- Lebanon) announces her intention to seek
District 17 State Senate Seat

MOUNT JULIET, TN-Representative Susan Lynn has announced her intention to file a petition next year for the 17th District Tennessee State Senate seat being vacated by State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mount Juliet). Addressing local business leaders, residents and friends at the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce, Representative Lynn stated that "serving in the Tennessee General Assembly has been one of the greatest privileges and opportunities of my life. Today, I announce that I am running for state senate in order to expand and extend the mission of public service on which I embarked in 2002."

The Representative explained her approach of reaching her decision to run for higher office by stating that "Since our state senator's announcement this past June that she intends to seek the office of Wilson County Mayor in 2010, I have spent time traveling throughout the 17th District in order to meet the people and visit with the local elected officials." She continued, "This wonderful experience has brought me many new friends, and I have learned much about the strengths and needs of the area."

The 17th Senatorial District is composed of , Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith, Trousdale, Wilson and a portion of Sumner County in Hendersonville. Lynn further stated, "It is evident that an attentive and experienced legislator is what is necessary to immediately start meeting the needs of the area. I would be proud to accept the challenge of working for my fellow citizens throughout the 17th district to help with the many infrastructure, economic development and education needs of the area; whether working to bring new jobs to Clay County, voting to finance the repair of bridges in Smith and DeKalb Counties or helping to fund school improvements in the upper Cumberland region; I pledge to the citizens that I will do my best to help with the crucial needs of the area just as I have dedicated myself to the issues of Sumner and Wilson Counties over the past seven years."

Noting her service as a conservative legislator who works to support Jeffersonian Principles such as limited government, states' rights, capitalism and our constitutional rights, Lynn mentioned several examples of her work that are now law such as the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Tennessee State Sovereignty Resolution and the Religious Freedom Protection Act. "The citizens of the district are conservative; I am proud to share my strong conservative record with them; much of which is documented on my new website at votesusanlynn.com."

Lynn assured that she remains firmly and unshakably against a state income tax and continues to sponsor legislation to lower the sales tax on food; "years ago, I was on a special task force that drafted a bill for a sales tax holiday which I now vote to support annually in order help my district with the expenses of raising a family."

Susan Lynn has represented the 57th Legislative District in the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2002 when it was first redistricted. She is the chairman of the House Government Operations Committee and a member of the House Calendar & Rules Committee. Further, she has served for seven years on the House Commerce Committee and the Small Business Sub-Committee. In addition to her legislative duties, Rep. Lynn serves as Task Force Chairman of the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force for the influential American Legislative Exchange Council. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics with a minor history. A member of the First Baptist Church of Mt. Juliet, Rep. Lynn makes her home in Lebanon with her husband Michael. They have two adult children - Michael Lynn, Jr., a staff sergeant in the Tennessee Air Guard, who is engaged to wed SSG. Alissa Saunders; and a daughter, Mrs. Grace Douchette and husband Benjamin; both are employed by Publix Supermarkets.


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NOTE: The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the nation's largest nonpartisan, individual membership organization of state legislators, with over 2,000 legislator members from all fifty states, and 85 former members serving in the U.S. Congress. www.alec.org

City Paper Sizes up Senate Races

State Senate could get extreme

Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 11:00pm

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-voices/post-politics-state-senate-could-get-extreme