Vote NO on H.R. 3893

Call or Email Your Congressman Today, early. Urge them to vote NO on H.R. 3893 "The Republicans' energy bill 'gives a break to wealthy oil companies while doing little or nothing to affect oil prices. Oil companies now have all the profits and incentives they need to build new refineries.'" - Republican Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., said in a letter Thursday to colleagues, as reported by the Associated Press H.R. 3893 - Gasoline for America's Security Act of 2005 (Rep. Barton - Energy and Commerce) (Subject to a Rule). This bill is the Republican response to current skyrocketing fuel/gasoline prices that are squeezing American families and to diminished refinery capacity in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Major components of the Republican bill as reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee: Ø Republicans do nothing to lower gasoline and other fuel prices or to increase refining capacity. During a time of record oil and refinery company profits, the Republican solution is to offer subsidies to a profitable industry and to rollback environmental regulations. The Energy and Commerce Committee-adopted bill does nothing to deal with the problems found in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, is unlikely to increase refinery capacity, and could even lead to greater gas price increases and refining industry profits. The bill repeals provisions enacted in August, 2005 to allow the Federal Government to coordinate refinery permitting. Republicans simply use the disaster to slip through a collection of unrelated provisions that the majority could not pass during the consideration of the energy bill earlier this year. Ø Republicans Weaken Gasoline Price-Gouging Enforcement and Ignore Natural Gas, Home Heating Oil and Propane Prices. The only provision in the bill regarding high gasoline prices would rollback existing authorities of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). With the industry profiting hundreds of millions of dollars per day, this bill would limit to $11,000 per day the penalty to any person for price gouging. The so-called price-gouging provision appears directed towards small gas station owners rather than refiners. Recent analysis of price increases at the pump found that retailers' margins increased less than 1 cent per gallon (about 5%) while the refineries' prices have increased by 71 cents (or 255%). The bill lacks real enforcement authority since it does not allow for State Attorneys General to enforce the Federal law, nor does it make market manipulation a cause of action. Finally, the bill fails to cover natural gas, home heating oil, and propane even though those prices are forecast to increase nearly 75% this winter. Ø Republicans Weaken Public Health Protections. The bill includes several provisions that are aimed at reducing public health and environmental protections, even for industries that have nothing to do with the production of gasoline. Without any legislative hearings, the bill codifies the Administration's controversial New Source Review regulations that are currently being litigated, which would allow increased air emissions in all industries, not just oil and gas, and another provision known as "bump up" which allows delays in meeting current deadlines under the Clean Air Act. Furthermore, the bill rewards an industry that has limited investment in refining capacity and closed over 30 refineries for economic reasons, and arbitrarily establishes a national limit of six blends of gasoline and diesel fuel which could increase air pollution and prices in certain regions even more. UPDATE: The House narrowly approved a Republican-crafted energy bill Friday aimed at encouraging construction of new refineries, although opponents said it would do nothing to ease energy prices while handing unneeded benefits to a profit-rich oil industry. Supporters of the measure said that hurricanes Katrina and Rita made clear that the country needs more refineries, including new ones outside of the Gulf region. Critics argued it would allow the oil industry to avoid environmental regulations that would lead to dirtier air. The bill passed 212-210. Its prospects in the Senate were uncertain. The vote, which was supposed to be taken in five minutes, lasted more than 40 minutes as GOP leaders searched for the last two votes they needed to get the bill approved. They buttonholed lawmakers for last-minute lobbying as Democrats complained loudly that the vote should be closed. Finally two GOP lawmakers switched from ``no'' to ``yes,'' giving the bill's supporters the margin of victory. "Is this the House of a Banana Republic?'' Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., shouted at one point, expressing his frustration about the GOP holdup of the final tally.