My Letter to Congress: H.R.910 Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011

I am writing as your constituent in the 1st Congressional district of Texas. I oppose H.R.910 - Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, and am tracking it using OpenCongress.org, the free public resource website for government transparency and accountability.

Sincerely,
Melody Couvillion

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Dear Friend:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the implementation of greenhouse gas regulations under the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on December 23, 2010 its plans to impose costly greenhouse gas regulation on refineries. I believe this will hurt every American driver, trucker, farmer and flier with higher gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices.

During the 111th Congress, one of the major agenda items for the administration was passing cap-and-trade legislation. The goal of the legislation was to increase the price of traditional forms of carbon-based energy, such as coal, gas and oil, so that consumers would respond by using less of it. The Senate refused to consider a bill that would financially burden Americans and kill energy-dependent jobs. With the EPA?s announcement, the administration has taken the unprecedented step of bypassing Congress with these backdoor regulations and is sending a clear message it intends to impose cap-and-trade on all Americans ? one way or another.

The EPA?s backdoor climate regulations will drive up the cost of energy in America ? and everyone will pay. Families, commuters, truckers, farmers, and fliers who are today facing significantly higher gas and diesel prices than last year, will be hit even harder with steep energy costs. Employers - especially manufacturers and producers of energy intensive products like glass, steel, cement, and transportation fuels - will also shoulder the burden of rising energy expenses. In response, they may be forced to lay off workers and pass on the higher costs to consumers. Farmers, facing higher production costs from more expensive fuel, could also face costly new regulations on their livestock and dairy production, as well as their application of fertilizer to their fields. All of this will raise the costs of food for our families.

On December 29, 2010, in response to the EPA plans against refineries, I sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson urging her to forgo the agency?s plans to regulate refinery greenhouse gases. These regulations will drive up the cost of energy in America ? and everyone will pay.

I am also an original cosponsor of S. 482, the Energy Tax Prevention Act, introduced on March 3, 2011 by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK). This legislation would prohibit the EPA from enacting new regulations with regard to greenhouse gases and climate change. S. 482 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, of which I am not a member. Should this legislation come before the full Senate, you may be certain it will have my continued support.

Protecting jobs in Texas, as well as across America, is my top priority. Keeping energy costs low for Americans is essential to stabilizing the economy. To help accomplish these imperatives, I will work with my colleagues to ensure Congress, not unelected bureaucrats, sets economic, regulatory and environmental policy.

I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue that is important to you.

Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator

284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5922 (tel)
202-224-0776 (fax)
http://hutchison.senate.gov

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If you would like more information about issues pending before the Senate, please visit the Senator's website at http://hutchison.senate.gov .? You will find articles, floor statements, press releases, and weekly columns on current events.

Thank you.