| Congress Should Oppose Barton’s No Relief Energy Bill (H.R. 3893) |
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| Monday, 10 October 2005 | ||||
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“This is just one more example of this administration’s failed leadership on critical energy issues. This new proposed energy bill does not promote diversifying our nation’s energy production with domestically produced renewable energy nor does it take practical steps to ease our nation’s consumption of oil by enacting higher mileage standards for cars and trucks,” stated Adrienne Esposito, CCE Executive Director, “Instead, in a move that adds insult to injury, Congress is proposing to once again give even more taxpayer dollars to big energy.” Esposito added. The House is scheduled to vote on Barton’s No-Relief Energy Bill (H.R. 3893) on Friday, October 7, 2005. This gift to Big Oil threatens human health, the environment, and the public’s pocketbook by weakening federal price gouging penalties, gutting pollution emission standards, and allowing the President to designate federal land—including our National Forests and Wilderness Study Areas—to site refineries. Furthermore, if costs accrue due to a delay in initial refinery operation—such as noncompliance with state or federal laws—HR 3893 forces American taxpayers to pick up the oil company’s tab! “It is conscionable that at a time when so many Americans have lost so much, Congress is considering having us give more money to Big Oil,” stated Brian Smith, Program Coordinator for CCE. “Congress needs to pass Energy legislation with a vision for America’s future that meets our energy needs without compromising public health, our shared environment, and our pocketbook,” Smith added. “While all Americans—but especially working class and the working poor—are struggling to keep afloat amidst high gasoline prices and bracing for sky rocketing rate hikes for home heating fuel this winter, the response from Washington is to help big business first and the American family last,” Esposito concluded. CCE is advocating for energy initiatives that would benefit American families and that helps our nation move beyond our petroleum addiction in an incremental way such as: > Establishing federal fleet mileage standards to help all Americans conserve critical fuel supplies; > Committing long term and sufficient funding to research and development of sustainable and renewable fuel technologies; and > Establishing a 10-year production tax credit (PTC) for renewable energy technologies thereby allowing for financiers to invest in this important market. > Establishing a credible, effective energy conservation education program that explains the need and cost savings associated with conservation and energy efficiency products. Supported by over 80,000 members in New York and Connecticut, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) works to protect public health and the natural environment Buffalo, NY--- Congress is now revisiting the corporate give-away program disguised as energy legislation, which passed only a few months ago. Energy legislation that passed in August, gave billions of taxpayer dollars to multinational energy companies and loosened important public health and environmental regulations—making it easier for these corporations to poison our waters and pollute our air, and did nothing for decreasing energy consumption. Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) is calling on Congress to oppose the No Relief Energy Bill (H.R. 3893) and pass an Energy Bill that benefits the American taxpayer, protects our environment, and puts our nation on course towards a future independent from fossil based fuels.  Add as favourites (8) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 2558
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