As the Obama administration schemes to impose global-warming laws on the U.S., one of its key Congressional allies is Hill veteran Rep. Ed Markey (D., Mass.), chair of the Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Markey gave some insight into D.C. energy politicking recently with a March 16 letter to the Wall Street Journal advocating a national, green energy policy. The letter is typical for its ignorance about how energy works. But then its final graph is a willful attempt to mislead Americans.

“Studies say current energy and climate legislation would save American families money on their energy bills. As America transitions away from increasingly expensive dirty energy to increasingly affordable clean energy, climate legislation will protect vulnerable families from utility company rate hikes,” writes this Congressional leader.

“Studies?” Markey cites none — but his remark is a familiar one used by Democrats like Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm who repeatedly claims that windmills, against all evidence, will reduce energy costs — because, once built, they don’t need to be refueled like coal plants. The wind, she says, is “free.” Sure, but turbine maintenance isn’t. The sun is free, too — but solar panels don’t wash themselves.

“Increasingly expensive dirty energy?” Only if government imposes hidden taxes in the form of cap and trade or some other back-door regulation.

And when utility rates jump as a result? (Some experts predict 40 percent increases in Midwest coal states). The very pols like Markey who caused the hikes will swoop in to “protect vulnerable families from utility company rate hikes.”

These days, snake oil salesmen aren’t selling their wares at carnivals — but in broad daylight in major newspapers.