[PDF Document]

In the same vein as previously proposed energy legislation, Senator Lugar’s S. 3464, the Practical Energy and Climate Plan Act of 2010, implements many of the same problematic policies: a so-called feebate and federal CAFE standards.

In response to this legislation, ATR sent the following letter to Senators urging them to oppose this regulatory bill:

On behalf of American for Tax Reform and millions of tax payers I urge you to oppose the recent energy proposal by Sen. Lugar (R-Ind.), S. 3464, the Practical Energy and Climate Plan Act of 2010. This bill attempts to control the automobile industry and place unfair burdens on consumers nationwide.

The Practical Energy and Climate Plan Act forces auto companies to increase their fuel economy standards by a set limit. Instead of allowing for analysis and inter-agency discretion, this bill puts policymakers in the front seat, not automakers. This bill also introduces a fuel efficiency performance program, known as a “feebate.”

These feebates are taxes to punish Americans who own vehicles the government is not partial to. What the government does not realize is that some families, business owners and farmers own certain vehicles to sustain their way of life. By implementing these heavy fees the government would be destroying the livelihood of many Americans.

A key mistake of the Practical Energy and Climate Plan Act is that it does not take into account the amount of flexible fuel available to consumers. The act mandates that 90 percent of all new cars have the ability to run on E85, a new flexible fuel. However, only two percent of gas stations in the U.S. have access to alternative fuel.  This limited availability will lead to increased costs for purchasing new cars and gas to fill the tanks.

Opposing the Practical Energy and Climate Plan Act will benefit all Americans by allowing our quest for alternative energy vehicle to be lead by those who are in the forefront of technology – the automakers. Currently, automakers are leading the way in developing new technology to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Practical Energy and Climate Plan Act would cut short these advances and would do the American consumer more harm than good.

I am urging all Senators to vote against S. 3464, the Practical Energy and Climate Plan Act of 2010. For information please contact ATR Federal Affairs Manager Brian Johnson at bjohnson@atr.org or 202.785.0266

Onward,
Grover G. Norquist

Cc:    All US Senators