VIDEO: Capito Blasts Democrats’ Environmental Provisions in Reckless Tax and Spending Spree

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor highlighting how the Democrats' proposed energy and environment policies would harm energy producers, raise energy prices for American families, and do little to impact global emissions.

HIGHLIGHTS:

INCREASED ENERGY COSTS: "This week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration-a non-partisan governmental group-forecasted that the cost of natural gas bills will go up 30% this winter. We're getting ready to get into the cold winter season. That means American households will spend an average of $746 on gas heating in the months October through March - 30% more than last year… Natural gas is the primary heating fuel for 48% of American homes-nearly half the country-this has huge implications for our families. Just think of retirees in West Virginia on a fixed income. That 30% increase is huge and unmanageable! People already struggle to pay their energy bills in normal times. But, with this increase, difficult decisions will have to be made in many households. Think of a family of four just trying to get through the school year and have just enough to buy necessities for their children. And now their heating bill is 30% higher. That's a big hit."

GREEN SLUSH FUND: "The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is a $27.5 billion slush fund for Democratic states and progressive organizations to finance whatever so-called 'green' projects they may want. Apparently, our colleagues are concerned that over $200 billion in renewable energy tax credits is not enough to encourage the private sector to finance projects. Therefore, billions of tax dollars are required to provide even more public financing."

PUNSHING STATES: "The Federal Highway Administration is also directed to impose consequences on states that fail to meet these targets. How much of a reduction in emissions do states have to achieve to get their targets? What actions will states have to take or not take in order to meet their targets? More importantly, what consequences will the Federal Highway Administration impose on states that fail to meet their targets? Will they lose their federal highway dollars? Will states have new restrictions on building new roads? Will there be new requirements to direct highway funding to other activities that reduce emissions? All of those questions are left unanswered."

CRADLE TO GRAVE: "It's really a lot of wasteful spending. It is regulatory overreach will make energy and goods more expensive. We've talked on and on about the rising costs of goods and particularly gasoline. It is a progressive wish list rolled into one $3.5 trillion bill that inserts government into nearly every phase of American life, from cradle to grave. The reconciliation bill should not pass."

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