Big Business Wins
In the last six months, we have seen the price of gasoline go up 75 cents to a dollar in many states. Ironically during the summer months, we have come to expect oil refineries to shut down for anticipated and unexpected problems with maintenance. Thereby, refining capacity shrinks as demands of summer travel increases.
Over the last 25 years, commute times have increased and working people are driving 40 percent farther. With gasoline consumption increasing and the price of gas likely to go over $4 a gallon, every driver will be spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,000 a year.
Recently, the Senate passed energy legislation, which included an increase in automobile fuel economy requirements to a fleet-wide average of 35 mpg by 2020 from the current requirements of 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for SUVs and small trucks. This would be the first increase in vehicle fuel efficiency since 1989. Senate Democrats had hoped to increase fuel efficiency standards to 40 miles a gallon. That type of fuel efficiency would allow America not to import oil from the Middle East and gas prices would go down.
Furthermore, the bill requires that half of the new cars manufactured by 2015 be capable of running on 85 percent ethanol or biodiesel fuels. It requires that, by 2022, we to produce 36 billion gallons a year of ethanol. As a substitute for gasoline, ethanol would be made from corn and cellulosic sources such as prairie grass and wood chips.
The energy bill included a price gouging provisions that make it unlawful to charge an "unconscionably excessive" price for oil products including gasoline and give the federal government new authority to investigate oil industry market manipulation.
There is a new appliance and lighting efficiency standards and a requirement that the federal government accelerate use of more efficient lighting in public buildings.
Our government would offer grants, loan guarantees and other assistance to promote research into fuel efficient vehicles, including hybrids, advanced diesel and battery technologies. Also, there is a provision to support large-scale demonstrations that capture carbon dioxide from coal-burning power plants and inject it into the ground.
Senate Republicans blocked Democratic efforts to pass a $32 billion package of tax incentives for renewable energy and clean fuels, by objecting to increasing taxes on oil companies by $29 billion over 10 years to pay for it. Democrats also were unable to include in the bill a requirement for electric utilities to produce at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable fuels such as wind and biomass, because Republicans refused to let the measure come up for a vote.
The Congress supposedly represents the interests of the American people, but once again big business won out. Campaign contributions are apparently more important than the American people. The oil and gas industry has given members of Congress millions of dollars in campaign contributions. We have seen that campaign contributions have something to do with the subsides for big oil and the energy independence legislation.
Over the last 25 years, commute times have increased and working people are driving 40 percent farther. With gasoline consumption increasing and the price of gas likely to go over $4 a gallon, every driver will be spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,000 a year.
Recently, the Senate passed energy legislation, which included an increase in automobile fuel economy requirements to a fleet-wide average of 35 mpg by 2020 from the current requirements of 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for SUVs and small trucks. This would be the first increase in vehicle fuel efficiency since 1989. Senate Democrats had hoped to increase fuel efficiency standards to 40 miles a gallon. That type of fuel efficiency would allow America not to import oil from the Middle East and gas prices would go down.
Furthermore, the bill requires that half of the new cars manufactured by 2015 be capable of running on 85 percent ethanol or biodiesel fuels. It requires that, by 2022, we to produce 36 billion gallons a year of ethanol. As a substitute for gasoline, ethanol would be made from corn and cellulosic sources such as prairie grass and wood chips.
The energy bill included a price gouging provisions that make it unlawful to charge an "unconscionably excessive" price for oil products including gasoline and give the federal government new authority to investigate oil industry market manipulation.
There is a new appliance and lighting efficiency standards and a requirement that the federal government accelerate use of more efficient lighting in public buildings.
Our government would offer grants, loan guarantees and other assistance to promote research into fuel efficient vehicles, including hybrids, advanced diesel and battery technologies. Also, there is a provision to support large-scale demonstrations that capture carbon dioxide from coal-burning power plants and inject it into the ground.
Senate Republicans blocked Democratic efforts to pass a $32 billion package of tax incentives for renewable energy and clean fuels, by objecting to increasing taxes on oil companies by $29 billion over 10 years to pay for it. Democrats also were unable to include in the bill a requirement for electric utilities to produce at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable fuels such as wind and biomass, because Republicans refused to let the measure come up for a vote.
The Congress supposedly represents the interests of the American people, but once again big business won out. Campaign contributions are apparently more important than the American people. The oil and gas industry has given members of Congress millions of dollars in campaign contributions. We have seen that campaign contributions have something to do with the subsides for big oil and the energy independence legislation.
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