From Deseret News archives:
House votes to roll back oil tax breaks
Energy was the key word in the House Thursday, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., celebrated what the Democrats see as a commitment to investing in renewable energy. The bill passed 264 to 163. Pelosi also created a new Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and plans to have energy legislation done by July 4.
But Republicans came out in force against the bill, which they say does nothing for energy independence and would raise oil prices so Americans would pay more at the pump. The measure also could increase taxes, they said.
It's "poor policy that's just plain wrong," said Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, who voted against the bill.
Bishop said Congress avoided a tax increase for almost 13 years, and it took the Democrats only 13 days to create one. "While predictable, their efficiency and commitment to taxing is remarkable," Bishop said.
Bishop said this "will raise the cost of gas and home heating for every American, ship manufacturing jobs overseas and increase, not decrease, our dependence on foreign oil."
"If we're going to tax anything, it ought to be foreign oil coming over, not domestic oil that could be produced and refined here," Bishop said. "We're not going to help this economy and our energy supplies by going after American energy producers, where the increased costs then get passed on to American consumers in the form of higher prices."
Democrats would use the $14 billion these eliminated tax breaks would generate to create a "Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewable Reserve." The money would be invested in renewable energy programs to be determined at a later date, Pelosi's office said. The goal would be more renewable energy resources, conservation efforts and research and development into cleaner technologies.
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, supported the bill, calling it a good step in the right direction to "wean" the country off oil. Matheson, supports renewable energy technology and worked on the issue when he sat on the House Science Committee. He is now on the House Energy and Commerce Committee but is working with leadership to remain on his other committee.
Comments
- U.S. tops in health care spending 8:50 a.m.
- FBI sending team to Pakistan 8:42 a.m.
- Stocks tumble at open 8:41 a.m.
- MLB meetings: Much talk, little action 8:36 a.m.
- 'Uncharted 2' tops turbulent year 8:32 a.m.
- 911 call came from Woods' house 8:23 a.m.
- Westwood is European Tour's POY 8:20 a.m.
- Powell says Usain Bolt can be beat 8:20 a.m.
- Storm pounds Utah for 2nd day 7:54 a.m.
- Fierce snowstorm heads to Midwest 7:41 a.m.
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims
- Cougars going back to Vegas
- Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
- Bring the true spirit of Christmas
- Utes excited to go to San Diego
- Winter weather is here to stay
- BYU professor remembered
- TCU's BCS game missing something
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
264 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
203 - Letters: Global warming a lie
168 - Cougars going back to Vegas
147 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
137 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
100 - Harpring's NBA career is over
98 - Utahns want health care reform bills
81 - Utes excited to go to San Diego
79
I knew something was wrong the moment you mentioned the Peoria North Stake....
No amount of pennance short of the death penalty will ever be enough for you...
Mountain view is not 3-0. They got throttled by Skyview and had a double...
"Natives...worry the noise of offshore development could chase away bowhead...
A boy with a big heart and parents who helped teach him that. Thank you!
I know that I am in the minority but I think we should restore the tax...
Right a shock jock like Beck and a person that holds a PH.D in the felid have...
Food tax is an easy way to increase revenue when it is needed, such as in a...
So much for Al Gore the Nobel Prize Winner and the Global Warming theory. He...
Interesting how the right feels justified in calling names and making...



You can be the first to comment on this story.