back

Ryan Opposes Energy Bill as Insufficient to Combat Gas Price Spikes

Ryan Also Critical of “Energy Pork”, Wasteful Spending 

WASHINGTON – Wisconsin’s First District Congressman Paul Ryan today voted against massive energy legislation because it does nothing to fix the problem of the growing number of “boutique” fuels – specialized fuels such as the type of reformulated gas used in Southeastern Wisconsin – that has contributed to gasoline price spikes in recent years. 

Legislation written by Ryan to combat Wisconsin’s gas price spikes by establishing a process to start consolidating fuel blends nationwide was included in the original House-passed energy bill last April, and Ryan fought to keep it in the House-Senate conference report (the final version of the energy legislation, H.R. 6.)  Unfortunately, the measure encountered stiff resistance from the American Petroleum Institute – a powerful lobbying group for U.S. oil companies – and was removed from the final legislation prior to today’s vote.  The energy legislation passed the House today by a vote of 246-180.

Ryan also opposed the final energy package because its targeted tax-breaks put the government, instead of the marketplace, in the position of picking industry winners and losers, and it further complicates the tax code.   In addition, Ryan raised concerns about wasteful, “pork barrel” spending reported to have been included in the bill, as well as the legislation’s inadequacy when it comes to upgrading the national electricity grid and transmission lines.  

“This bill ignores one of the main reasons for the gas price spikes that have hurt drivers and businesses in our area,” Ryan said. “It fails to deal with the multiplying number of specialized fuels – ensuring that the problem will only get worse.  At the same time, it wastes money on pet projects, makes our tax system even more complex, and doesn’t move fast enough to fix our electricity transmission grid. While the legislation includes some positive steps, I could not support a bill that falls short in so many critical ways. 

The following are among the pet projects included in the energy legislation:

·        Tax credits targeted specifically for fuel sources including chicken droppings.

·        Over $500 million for the Denali Commission.  The Commission is a federal-state partnership designed to provide critical utilities, infrastructure, and economic support throughout Alaska.

·        Over $200 million in tax-exempt bonds for certain “green” enterprises, including a soybean-powered mall in Syracuse, New York.

 back