5/01/2006

CHARLESTON, WV In response to the increasingly negative impact high gasoline prices are having on West Virginians, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today outlined a five-point plan that Congress should follow to help bring relief at the gas pump.

"I'm hearing every day from West Virginians about high gas prices, and I'm extremely concerned about the negative impact these prices are having on our families and our economy," said Rep. Capito. 

Capito added, "I am working hard to find ways to provide immediate relief for West Virginians at the pump.  Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet for an immediate and lasting fix to our energy woes.  However, in the short-term, we can loosen government regulations and temporarily remove tariffs that are only adding to the problem.  I've come up with five steps that should be taken immediately to lower gas prices and reduce pain at the pump."

Specifically, Capitos plan calls for:

1. Banning price gouging on gas and diesel fuel sales.  Capito has already supported a similar measure last year in H.R. 3893, the Gasoline for Americas Security Act.  (October 7, 2005 - Roll Call Vote 519)

2. Temporarily waive boutique fuel regulations.  Current law mandates that certain blends of gasoline be used in different regions of our country.  These regulations strain distribution and limit supply, driving up prices for consumers. (Roll Call Vote 247, June 16, 2004)

3. Temporarily waive the tariff on ethanol imports.  Currently a 54 cent per gallon tariff is placed on all imported ethanol.  As MTBE and other oxygenates are phased out of gasoline production, ethanol demand is skyrocketing, supply is not meeting demand, and its causing higher gas prices.  (Co-sponsor of H.R. 5170)

4. Utilize West Virginia coal.  West Virginias abundant coal reserves could play an important role in reducing gasoline prices.   The government has long supported the research and development of coal liquefaction facilities that convert coal into gasoline.  It is time to build a liquefaction facility which would increase our fuel supply while creating jobs for West Virginians.  (October 7, 2005 -  Roll Call Vote 519)

5. Expand domestic energy exploration: ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf.  Environmentally safe exploration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the Outer Continental Shelf will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase our domestic supply of oil and natural gas.  Rep. Capito has co-sponsored legislation that would give all coastal states the option to allow oil and natural gas exploration off their shores (H.R. 4761), and has voted four times to open a small portion of ANWR to oil exploration.  If President Clinton hadnt vetoed ANWR legislation in 1995, ANWR would be producing 1 million barrels of oil per day that would translate to lower gas prices.  (Roll Call Vote 132, April 21, 2005; Roll Call Vote 630, November 21, 2003; Roll Call Vote 145 April 11, 2003; Roll Call Vote 320 August 2, 2001; Co-sponsor of H.R. 4761)

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