For Immediate Release
June 26, 2009
Contact Information:
Bill Holbrook 202-457-0480
Steve Higley 202-457-0480
Despite Late Modifications, House Climate Bill Will Still Fail Consumers, Economic Recovery
WASHINGTON, D.C. – NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, today sharply criticized the House’s narrow 219-212 approval of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, calling attention to the significant challenges to domestic refiners presented by provisions within the bill.
“While important to understand that the removal of the undesirable and unachievable low-carbon fuel standard was a key victory for consumers, this legislation ultimately amounts to nothing short of a tremendous tax hike for American consumers that will threaten domestic energy supplies and could actually increase the nation’s reliance on foreign refined products,” said NPRA President Charles T. Drevna. “The largest challenge presented by this legislation is the unfair burden placed on American refiners by the mandated responsibility for emissions resulting from the use of their products, including home-heating oil, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and industrial fuels. This burden creates a significant cost advantage for foreign refiners who are already preparing to target U.S. retail markets for fuels and other refined products.
“Despite the many modifications made to the bill since the Energy and Commerce Committee passed it, the American Clean Energy and Security Act still fails domestic refiners and consumers alike. It dismisses the real concerns Americans have over rising energy costs and the adverse effect those costs will have on our nation’s economic recovery.”
# # #
NPRA members include nearly 500 companies, including virtually all American refiners and petrochemical manufacturers. Our members supply consumers with a wide variety of products and services used daily in their homes and businesses. These products include gasoline, diesel fuel, home heating oil, jet fuel, lubricants and the chemicals that serve as “building blocks” in making everything from plastics to clothing to medicine to computers.