WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives today took a strong stand in support of American jobs and against higher gasoline and energy costs by approving H.R. 910, the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, by a vote of 255 to 172. The bipartisan measure prevents the EPA from transforming the Clean Air Act into a vehicle to impose costly greenhouse gas regulations to address climate change. The bill is narrowly drawn to clarify the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act, preserving the law’s important and longstanding functions to reduce air pollution. Without Congressional intervention, the EPA’s controversial cap and tax agenda threatens to drive gas prices even higher, increase utility rates, send manufacturing jobs overseas, and hamstring our economic recovery.
“Today, the House stood up for American families and jobs, forcefully rejecting the administration’s relentless attempts to raise gas and energy prices," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “Our thoughtful, bipartisan solution reins in an EPA gone wild whose bureaucrats are oblivious to the nation’s economic woes and soaring unemployment. The EPA’s regulatory bonanza will cause already soaring gas prices to rise even higher as refiners are caught in the EPA’s web of costly regulations. With gas prices eclipsing $4.00 per gallon, the last thing families can afford are misguided government policies that make the price at the pump even higher. At the end of the day, the EPA climate regime is all economic pain and no environmental gain - today’s vote is an important victory for American families, and our efforts are gaining even more momentum."
“Over the last two years, the Environmental Protection Agency has been particularly active in advancing an aggressive environmental agenda, without regard to the impact on jobs and the economy," said Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), following the vote. “Today, we took an important step to stop EPA from acting outside of their authority in enacting regulations that would have sweeping consequences across all sectors of the economy and that would result in higher energy costs for consumers across the nation."
For America’s refiners, EPA’s rules are already translating into lower domestic output, and it will only get worse if the agency is allowed to move forward with its rules. EPA’s greenhouse gas rules would hamper production at existing facilities while also discouraging needed expansions, resulting in higher motor fuel prices and lost jobs in the energy industry. Existing power plants will also be saddled with costly mandates that will further increase electricity costs for consumers.
The Energy Tax Prevention Act is supported by leading job creators and taxpayer advocates including the National Federation of Independent Business, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Farm Bureau, and National Association of Manufacturers. For a list of groups supporting the Energy Tax Prevention Act, please visit HERE.
