Congressman Aderholt and 27 Colleagues Express Frustration with Senate Inaction on Gas Refineries
CONGRESSMAN ADERHOLT AND 27 COLLEAGUES EXPRESS FRUSTRATION WITH SENATE INACTION ON GAS REFINERIES
Late last week, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) and 27 of his House colleagues sent a letter to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert regarding high gas prices and the lack of Senate action on H.R. 5254, the Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act which passed the House on June 7, 2006.
"Gas prices universally impact lives," said Congressman Aderholt. "Whether it's a family's vacation plans or a farmer trying to keep fuel in his equipment, people across the nation are feeling the pinch of high gas prices."
In the letter dated July 27, the Members offered that one of the reasons for higher gas prices is that no new refineries have been built in the U.S. in the past 30 years. And, despite the fact that prices for general consumer goods in the U.S. have risen only nominally since 2003, gas prices have risen two and a half times during that same period.
"The House has taken the lead in crafting and passing legislation to encourage refinery construction," said the Members. "But we can not help the American people without corresponding action by the Senate."
The House passed H.R. 3893, the GAS Act of 2005, on October 7, 2005 and H.R. 5254, the Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act, on June 7, 2006. Both bills address the dearth of refinery construction by simplifying the regulatory regime governing these projects. Despite the urgency of these projects, the Senate has only recently held a hearing on H.R. 5254 and taken no action on H.R. 3893. There is little indication to expect further action.
"While gas prices have risen and all segments of the economy have been impacted, our economy has continued to grow," said Congressman Aderholt. "This is testimony to the pro-growth policies enacted by the President and by this Congress. However, unless the Senate takes action soon we can't expect this to continue indefinitely."
http://www.house.gov/list/press/al04_aderholt/8306GasRefinerySenate.html