cars & gas
energy bills 2008
what's up
With gas prices surging and clean energy all the rage, energy policy is a perennial target in Congress.
Last year lawmakers passed a bill that hiked up gas mileage standards, gave an extra boost to ethanol production and phased in other efficiency standards. A few green measures which didn't make it into the '07 bill may be back on Congress' plate in '08. At the same time, just 'cause ever good politician has to look like they're doing something about gas prices, Congress may vote on small measures to make a dent in prices at the pump.
green tax incentives
The Senate blocked a measure last year that would extend and expand incentives for green energy; the sticking point being that it would've been paid for by rollbacks on tax breaks for big oil.
The House passed a similar bill in February '08 - with the same deal-killer of oil tax hikes. Below is a snapshot of what's in the bill.
Tax credit would include:
issue guide: Price Gouging at the Pump
The Skinny
see also pro & con, the FTC take
With gas prices touching another two-year high in the summer of 2006 (only the first weeks after Hurricane Katrina saw higher US gasoline prices at the pump), “gas price gouging” is on the lips of drivers, politicians, and reporters. But what exactly is gas price gouging?
issue guide: Global Warming
Links
See also the skinny, background & facts, pro & con
Fairly nonpartisan sources
|
