Larson: Energy Bill Fails to Provide Real Solutions

LARSON: ENERGY BILL FAILS TO PROVIDE REAL SOLUTIONS

WASHINGTON , D.C. - U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-1) today released the following statement on his vote against the Energy Policy Act of 2005, H.R. 6.

"Consumers in Connecticut and across the nation need real energy solutions," said Larson. "However, this bill does nothing to build a comprehensive energy strategy to relieve consumers of soaring gas prices and secure our nation's energy independence. Instead of fostering the development of energy efficient technologies and fuel cell energy sources, the Republican majority has chosen to give away billions of dollars in permanent - and unneeded - tax breaks to the oil and gas industry."

"H.R. 6 does little to address the short term energy needs of Americans, and fails to offer creative and comprehensive solutions to our future energy challenges. Gas prices have soared, America continues to be far too dependent on foreign energy sources and energy alternatives such as fuel cells are still badly under funded. The energy issue is crying out to be addressed by Congress, yet the GOP Leadership is squandering the opportunity to pass a bipartisan energy bill and is instead trying to prove a political point. In the end, this is a fatally flawed bill that only harms the environment, hurts consumers, and wastes taxpayer's money," Larson said.

http://www.house.gov/larson/pr_050421.htm