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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today released the following statement regarding the Republican-sponsored energy bill, which passed the House this by a margin of 249-183. Hinchey adamantly opposed the Republican energy bill and voted against it on the House floor.
"Today's passage in the House of the Republican-sponsored energy bill is a sad day for America. This bill does everything to give away billions of taxpayer dollars to big oil and energy companies while further destroying the environment, and does nothing to help lower energy costs for the American people or establish a real, long-term renewable energy plan. Tom Delay and the House Republicanship are helping to make their energy company cronies richer at the expense of everyone else and the environment. The Republican energy bill is misguided and wrong for the American people and our environment.
"Between the bill's tax breaks, direct spending, and authorizations, estimates show that it would provide more than $22 billion to oil, gas, and other energy industries. The Republican energy bill is anti-taxpayer, providing 93 percent of its tax incentives -- $7.5 billion -- to the oil and gas industries and other traditional energy sources, while only 7 percent -- $600 million -- goes to renewable energy and conservation. Even President Bush said, 'When the price of oil is over $50 a barrel, the oil industry does not need relief.' Despite that, the president is calling for Congress to immediately pass this energy company giveaway bill. We should be looking to help the American people as they face gas prices that have jumped 33 cents over the last two months, not provide subsidies to the oil companies who are already profiting from these higher prices.
"This energy bill is short-sighted. It fails to address this nation's long-term energy needs and poses a very serious threat to the environment. The bill wrongfully allows for oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which would destroy the natural environment for an abundance of wildlife all in the name of getting a six months' supply of oil. It also weakens the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. Additionally, Republicans are forcing state and local governments to pay for the cleanup of the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) instead of polluters, while at the same time shielding those polluters from liability lawsuits and providing them with $2 billion in taxpayer subsidies.
"What we need instead of the Republican bill is a comprehensive energy measure that helps lower gas prices, increases our energy efficiency standards, protects electricity consumers, and eliminates special interest subsidies. Instead of energy company subsidies, we should invest those resources in new cutting-edge technology to create a better energy future for this and future generations.
"I am deeply troubled that Republicans turned down an effort by Democrats to increase fuel efficiency in automobiles. If we were to raise the fuel efficiency to 33 miles per gallon over 10 years, we would save 10 percent of the gasoline the U.S. would otherwise consume. That's 1.1 million barrels of oil a day that wouldn't pollute the environment and more money in the pockets of automobile drivers who won't have to fuel up as often. We can and we should begin to curb our demand for oil by increasing fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks and we can do so without sacrificing safety. Most of the developed world today has higher fuel efficiency standards than the U.S. America should not be a follower when it comes to efficiency standards. Rather, we should be a leader.
"Eventually, the world's oil supply will run out and before it gets to that point, gas prices will reach levels that today seem incomprehensible. That is why it is absolutely imperative that the United States invest in renewable energy and provide widespread incentives for individuals and businesses to use products that run on alternative energy. Energy independence with a focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency for our cars, homes, businesses, and appliances would be a huge success for our country. It would help us win the war on terrorism by relieving us of our dependence on Middle East oil and ending this country's tacit support of suppressive regimes. Investing in renewable energy and efficiency technologies would also save our environment from pollutants that are currently destroying it, while at the same time grow our economy with a whole new set of jobs in the renewable energy sector.
"These are the ideas and priorities that should have been included in the energy bill the House passed today, not massive giveaways to the same old energy companies who have led us into this economically and environmentally dangerous situation."
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