Democrats Cry Foul Over GOP's Attempts to Tie Fuel Prices to EPA

[TomCADem]

Source: NY Times

Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) began invoking the effect of EPA emissions rules on fuel prices earlier this week, citing cost estimates from a 2009 study of the now-defunct House climate change bill (E&E Daily, March 9). But Democrats were still perplexed by the elevation of that argument, with several accusing the GOP of stretching the boundaries of logic to serve its political goals.

"If they could fool people into believing there's a connection, I think they would gain some political mileage, but it's all deceptive," said Rep. Henry Waxman of California, the Energy and Commerce panel's top Democrat and a chief author of that 2009 climate bill. "There's no connection to EPA regulating greenhouse gases for certain stationary sources by requiring them to be more efficient and the price of gasoline."

* * *

Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) appeared nonplussed upon hearing about the Republican strategy.

"They're ignoring the political upheaval in the Middle East and the fact that we're not moving fast enough to alternative fuels and clean vehicles," she said. Of the 2009 study employed by House Republicans, she added: "It's funny that they're blaming a law that didn't pass for high gas prices."


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/03/11/11greenwire-democrats-cry-foul-over-gops-attempts-to-tie-f-66257.html

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Of course, the corporate media will begin running the right wing talking point that the rising gas prices are due to over regulation, not the volatile situation in the Middle East.

[pasto76]

1. more to the point, that prices are speculated. We saw that in 2008.

its all rigged. But the point about them blaming it on a bill that never passed is priceless.

[xxqqqzme]

2. OMG no! Rethuglicans caught

lying/exaggerating/fabricating yet again? Can't we just eliminate that step and be shocked when they are truthful?

[defendandprotect]

3. As though capitalism's SPECULATION on commodities has nothing to do with it -- !!

:rofl:

[BadGimp]

5. Shame on you for even bringing it up....

End sarcasm

[Maineman]

4. Obviously, Upton is but another politician owned by the oil industry

The Republican party is a wholly owned subsidiary of corporate America.