House moves to aid new oil refineries
By William L. Watts, MarketWatch
Last Update: 7:52 PM ET Jun 7, 2006
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to streamline the permit process for new oil refineries, with backers arguing that the legislation would help oil companies cut red tape and relieve high gasoline prices.
The Republican-backed measure cleared on a 238-179 vote, with Democrats charging that the bill would undermine environmental safeguards while providing little incentive to increase refining capacity.
"Why haven't new refineries in this country been built in the last 30 years? One reason is surely regulatory uncertainty caused by bureaucratic delays in the current permitting process," said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton, R-Texas.
The bill "addresses that problem head-on while preserving every single existing statute providing for environmental protection and opportunity for public participation. Every one," Barton said.
The bill, which has yet to be taken up by the Senate, would establish a federal coordinator who would work with all federal, state and local officials with jurisdiction over a proposed refinery site to speed the review process. The legislation wouldn't require governors to designate state officials to participate in the process, Barton said.
Democrats said the bill was a cynical effort by Republicans aimed at shielding them from blame for soaring gas prices.
"The number of refineries in the U.S. has declined over the past 30 years, and that is just the way Big Oil wants it. Fewer refineries mean less gasoline on the market. Less gasoline means higher prices. And higher prices mean record profits for the oil companies and less money in the pockets of hard-working Americans," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
William L. Watts is a reporter for MarketWatch.
Last Update: 7:52 PM ET Jun 7, 2006
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to streamline the permit process for new oil refineries, with backers arguing that the legislation would help oil companies cut red tape and relieve high gasoline prices.
The Republican-backed measure cleared on a 238-179 vote, with Democrats charging that the bill would undermine environmental safeguards while providing little incentive to increase refining capacity.
"Why haven't new refineries in this country been built in the last 30 years? One reason is surely regulatory uncertainty caused by bureaucratic delays in the current permitting process," said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton, R-Texas.
The bill "addresses that problem head-on while preserving every single existing statute providing for environmental protection and opportunity for public participation. Every one," Barton said.
The bill, which has yet to be taken up by the Senate, would establish a federal coordinator who would work with all federal, state and local officials with jurisdiction over a proposed refinery site to speed the review process. The legislation wouldn't require governors to designate state officials to participate in the process, Barton said.
Democrats said the bill was a cynical effort by Republicans aimed at shielding them from blame for soaring gas prices.
"The number of refineries in the U.S. has declined over the past 30 years, and that is just the way Big Oil wants it. Fewer refineries mean less gasoline on the market. Less gasoline means higher prices. And higher prices mean record profits for the oil companies and less money in the pockets of hard-working Americans," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
William L. Watts is a reporter for MarketWatch.
posted by HRM Deborah of Israel and the Messenger of Peace at 7:07 AM
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