Letter Warns That the So-Called Compromise Plan Raises Energy Taxes and Doesn’t Do Enough to Increase Domestic Energy Production

The Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) this week joined a coalition of 60 grassroots organizations, representing hundreds of thousands of American taxpayers, small businesses, shareholders, consumers and senior citizens, to express its opposition to the so-called “Gang of Ten” compromise energy plan.

The coalition sent a letter to each of the “Gang of Ten” members pointing out “several potentially fatal flaws” with their proposal, including potentially higher energy taxes and not going far enough to increase domestic energy production. The “Gang” is made up of Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.).

“We commend the Senate’s attempts to find a bipartisan solution to America’s energy needs…” the letter reads. “However, the current state of the proposal contains several potentially fatal flaws. The most glaring of which is the lack of certainty that the current proposed measures will not raise taxes on the American people. Sound energy policy should contain fiscally responsible measures that will actually result in lower prices – not penalties to the taxpayer. Why allow room for a tax increase when Americans are already paying so much at the pump?”

In addition, the letter points out that at “a time when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has expressed willingness to allow a vote on Outer Continental Shelf drilling, your proposal only permits four states to opt-in to oil leasing off their shores – retaining all regulatory powers at the federal level. It is not the job of the federal government to regulate the leasing of state waters and control when, where and how energy exploration can occur. The bill, by barring any drilling within 50 miles of the coast leaves much of the most productive OCS areas off limits. How will this create more supply and lower prices?”

To read the coalition letter in its entirety, click here (.pdf).