Walberg Tries to Force Congress to Take Real Action on Lwoering Energy Costs

Press Release

WALBERG TRIES TO FORCE CONGRESS TO TAKE REAL ACTION ON LOWERING ENERGY COSTS

CONGRESSMAN INTRODUCES DISCHARGE PETITION TO BRING NO MORE EXCUSES ENERGY ACT TO HOUSE FLOOR

U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) today introduced a discharge petition in the House to bring the No More Excuses Energy Act, legislation to increase U.S. energy production and invest in alternative sources of energy, to the House floor for a vote. House rules state that a discharge petition must have 218 signatures (a simple majority) in order to bring a bill to the floor for a vote.
Walberg's remarks follow:

"As I meet with constituents across south-central Michigan, I hear repeatedly the concern of high gas prices. Folks are tired of paying high prices, frustrated by America's dependence on foreign oil and baffled that Congress will not allow an increase in American energy production.

"Right now most American families are giving up nights eating out at restaurants or family vacations in order to cover the rising cost of gasoline. If Congress does not take action soon, families will be giving up much more in the very near future.

"Despite gas prices at levels previously only seen in Europe, the majority party's leadership in this Congress refuses to increase American energy production. Instead, Speaker Pelosi and leading House Democrats would rather increase taxes on domestic energy production and increase our reliance on OPEC. If Democrats don't bring these meaningful solutions to the floor for the up-or-down vote Americans deserve, we will attempt to force them.

"I filed a discharge petition today to force a vote on the No More Excuses Energy Act and am inviting all my colleagues to sign it. We need Democrats and Republicans in this effort, and we need bipartisan solutions to our energy crisis.

"High gas prices are affecting families, truckers, farmers, small business owners, emergency services and numerous other entities across America. The time for political rhetoric has passed, and with $4 gas, the time for action is now."

The No More Excuses Energy Act:
- Encourages new refinery construction by requiring IRS to take action to allow tax exempt bonds to be used for construction of certain refineries, and make federal lands available for refinery construction.
- Reduces green house emissions by offering a tax credit for CO2 captured for use in marginal oil wells.
- Boosts alternative energy development by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for 10 years.
- Lifts the Congressional Moratoria on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf, potentially providing 17 billion barrels of oil.
- Opens the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to responsible drilling, potentially producing nearly a million barrels per day for several decades.
- Encourages investment in a much-needed industrial base for building new nuclear power plants by reducing the tax burden on that industry.

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