[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 53 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E736-E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              FEDERAL ENERGY PRICE PROTECTION ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2006

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the tremendous 
impact that the cost of gasoline is having on my West Virginia 
constituents and on working families across the country. Rural 
communities that make up a large portion of my congressional district 
are especially hard hit by rising fuel costs because of the distance 
many people must travel to work and school and the limited public 
transportation options.

[[Page E737]]

  In addition to high prices, gas stations in some areas have run out 
of fuel all together. It is vital that we take every possible step to 
ensure that the gasoline market is priced fairly and it is important 
that we take steps to increase the supply of gasoline available to the 
market.
  This week in my district I highlighted a 5-point plan to reduce the 
price of fuel. These steps include:
  1. Take tough action against price gougers.
  2. Waive boutique fuel requirements so that supply can be easily 
transferred between regions of the country.
  3. Temporarily waive the 2.5 percent and 54 cent per gallon tax on 
ethanol so that imported ethanol can help make up the difference with 
the recent phase-out of MTBE in our gasoline supply.
  4. Make use of coal--West Virginia's natural resource--as part of our 
fuel supply. Coal liquefaction technology has been available for many 
years and our government has invested in research that would allow for 
fuel to be produced now. Our nation has a 250-year supply of coal that 
already provides over half of our nation's electricity. Coal is an 
answer to the gasoline problem as well.
  5. Allow for responsible drilling in ANWR and the Outer Continental 
Shelf to increase our domestic supply of crude oil.
  I am pleased that the House took action today on two elements of this 
important plan. I strongly support H.R. 5253, passed by the House today 
that will punish price gougers with tough fines or jail time. 
Provisions of the bill will allow for enforcement by either the Federal 
Trade Commission or state Attorney Generals to provide the maximum 
possible protection for consumers. We must investigate and punish 
instances of gouging wherever they occur on the energy supply chain.
  I am extremely disappointed that the House did not take action today 
on H.R. 5254 to improve the permitting and approval process for new 
refineries. Our nation has not built a new refinery since 1976 and it 
is clear that the regulatory process is a major reason why. This 
improved permitting process would also have applied to coal 
liquefaction facilities--another step that should be taken to increase 
our fuel supply. Once again opponents of increased fuel supplies and 
lower prices blocked action on common sense energy solutions.
  Passage of price gouging legislation is a positive first step. I urge 
my colleagues to support further legislation to increase supply by 
allowing new domestic exploration and waiving tariffs and boutique 
fuels.

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