Contact:
Marc Morano 202-224-5762
Matt Dempsey 202-224-9797

INHOFE STATEMENT ON ENERGY BILL’S PASSAGE

"Senate Passed Energy Bill Will Increase Costs to Consumers"

WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today commented on the Energy Bill’s ( HR 6. ) passage.

“The three principles of a secure energy supply are ensuring energy is stable, diverse and affordable.  Unfortunately, the Democrat bill that passed last night fails to meet these goals,” Senator Inhofe said.

“This energy bill will increase the price of gasoline.  It does nothing for supply and production.  It also imposes new mandates on energy providers which will increase the cost of electricity for all consumers.

“Despite all the recent rhetoric on energy independence, and increasing supplies of fuels, this bill will continue to put already energy starved Americans on a diet for years to come. The Democrats voted against my Gas Price Act, the only amendment that would have lowered gas prices at the pump by decreasing our dependence on foreign refined products. The energy bill’s biggest victims will be lower income Americans who will be hit with higher gas and electricity costs for at least the next decade.  One estimate of the bill’s legacy, with its so-called price gouging provisions and new mandates on energy providers -- has the price of fuel at the pump more than doubling by 2016.

"One of the few bright spots was the passage of my bipartisan amendment to incorporate the 'Federal Buildings Energy Conservation Act' into the bill. This legislation, which I introduced last week, will encourage the use of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) in Federal buildings.  Geothermal heat pumps are a proven, effective, and efficient technology that can help meet heating and cooling needs at Federal facilities while conserving energy and saving taxpayer dollars," Senator Inhofe said. One of the leading manufactures of GHPs, Climate Master Inc, is located in Oklahoma City and has been focused on enhancing business and home environments around the world for the past fifty years.

"Another bright spot was the passage of my amendments that Congressman Frank Lucas and I proposed to provide transitional assistance for farmers to encourage them to grow bioenergy crops. I am proud that my state of Oklahoma is a leader in developing bioenergy crops to use in cellulosic ethanol production.

“Finally, I was pleased that the Senate voted against including a massive $32 billion tax increase in the energy bill proposed by the Democrat leadership that would have resulted in a decline in domestic production making the US much more reliant on foreign oil and result in a 104% increase in the price of gasoline over the next eight years.  These tired policies will not work – history has taught us that much.”

#

Related Links:

DEMOCRATS REJECT INHOFE AMENDMENT TO BRING DOWN PRICE OF GAS AT PUMP

INHOFE INTRODUCES BILL TO ENCOURAGE USE OF GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS

DEMOCRATS REJECT AMENDMENT TO HELP SPUR CELLULOSIC ETHANOL DEVELOPMENT

# # #