Democrats Vote for $5 Gas, 15 Percent Unemployment, and Shipping Jobs to China & India - All to Protect Their National Energy Tax

Just how committed are Democrats to establishing a national energy tax on anyone who drives a car, buys anything made in America, or has the audacity to flip on a light switch? So committed that they are willing to let families and small businesses deal with $5 gas prices, 15 percent unemployment, and skyrocketing electricity costs just to ensure that the national energy tax becomes the law of the land.

Republicans believe there's a better path to clean energy. Yesterday, during the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s consideration of the legislation, Republicans offered a series of amendments to protect Americans from paying the national energy tax – which would cost families up to $3,100 per year – if gasoline and electricity costs soared or if unemployment reached historic levels. But one by one, Democrats rejected these common sense amendments, barreling ahead with their plans to saddle Americans with a massive new tax when they can afford it the least. Here’s a quick review of some of the amendments Democrats voted against yesterday – reflecting just how committed they are to a national energy tax:

Democrats Vote for $5 Per Gallon Gasoline. Democrats rejected a GOP amendment designed to protect middle-class families by shelving the national energy tax if gasoline prices hit $5 per gallon.

Democrats Vote for 15 Percent Unemployment. Democrats rejected a GOP amendment that made clear that if the U.S. unemployment rate should exceed 15 percent, then the national energy tax would cease to be effective.

Democrats Vote for Skyrocketing Electricity Costs. Democrats rejected a GOP amendment that would have protected residential customers from higher electric utility rates. The amendment would shelve the national energy tax if electricity rates increase by more than 10 percent over 2009 rates.

Democrats Vote for Shipping American Jobs to China and India. Democrats rejected a GOP amendment designed to provide a level playing field for American industries. It simply made clear that China and India must adopt the same emissions standards that the United States will be forced to comply with under the Democrats’ national energy tax, and if they don’t then it will not go into effect in the United States.

Democrats Vote For Keeping Consumers in the Dark About Energy Price Spikes. Democrats rejected a GOP amendment to require that any price increase for consumers as a result of the national energy tax be fully disclosed on each utility bill, fuel pump, manufactured product label, or food label.

Republicans know that we can clean up our environment, create more jobs, and bring down energy prices at the same time – without raising taxes. Cornerstones of the House Republicans’ strategy are:
- Increasing environmentally-safe energy production on remote lands and far off our shores;
- Promoting the use of alternative fuels that will reduce carbon emissions, such as nuclear, clean-coal, and renewable energy technologies; and
- Encouraging conservation to preserve and protect our natural resources.

While Democrats cling to their irresponsible plan for a national energy tax on families and small businesses – even if gas prices, electricity costs, and unemployment soar – Republicans will continue promoting their “all of the above” strategy. Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN) will host a series of forums next week in California, Pennsylvania, and Indiana to highlight the plan – and shine a spotlight on the devastating consequences of the Democrats’ national energy tax.

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ACCCE Statement in Response to White House Carbon Policy Meeting

/PRNewswire/ -- In response to today's meeting at the White House between Hill leaders and President Obama, Joe Lucas, Senior Vice President, Communications for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) released the following statement:

"President Obama, in describing a federal carbon policy, has said, 'if it is too expensive, people won't do it.' We couldn't agree more.

"That is why we believe that as officials at the White House and in Congress continue to work on a federal carbon management bill, their goal needs to be to find a policy that is both effective and affordable.

"ACCCE supports a mandatory federal carbon management program that will achieve emissions reductions, create jobs, preserve fuel diversity as a means of promoting greater energy independence, and ensure access to affordable, reliable electricity for American businesses and consumers. Bringing new advanced technologies to the marketplace and driving down the cost of deploying these technologies will ensure that consumers receive the benefit of reduced emissions and access to affordable energy.

"The current bill being discussed in the House of Representatives does not yet detail how emission allowances will be distributed. Any bill that Congress ultimately adopts needs to provide enough allowances to affected industries to help them transition to a low-carbon economy. Auctioning trillions of dollars in allowances is not the best way to make carbon legislation less expensive, nor will it make the program more environmentally effective.

"ACCCE and its members will continue to engage with Congressional leaders and the Administration in pursuit of a carbon policy that meets America's environmental and economic needs."

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