Brookings County Commission Chairman Don Larson expressed his concern about cap and trade legislation last Tuesday to a representative of U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson.

Johnson staffer Matt Astleford appeared at last Tuesday's commission meeting to update the commission on various issues.

Larson used the opportunity to say he was worried about Johnson's position on the proposed legislation that would cap energy costs, provide incentives to manufacturers for lowering emissions and allow companies to buy, sell and trade energy credits.

"We're really, really concerned about the Senator's position on cap and trade " he said. Larson said he was worried about how the legislation could increase energy costs for South Dakota farmers and how those costs will be offset.

"And it's wonderful you run around and you tell the farmers that increased energy costs are going to be offset. And when the secretary of ag says (there will) be another $20 billion for agriculture where's that $20 billion coming from? Who's going to suffer? Are you just going to print more reserve notes?"

Larson said Brookings and other counties would have trouble offset any increased energy costs if the legislation passed.

"There are those that are not going to be able to share in the offset," he said.

"And that certainly would be those that we are helping through our welfare system now. And that's just going to increase our welfare budget and the only way that we can cover that is to reduce services in other areas."

In closing, Larson told Astleford the legislation wouldn't be good for agriculture.

"And so in my mind, cap and trade isn't the glorious thing for agriculture and the overall country that oftentimes we're told," he said.

Astleford told Larson he would pass the information on to Johnson.