Matheson Introduces Fuel Act

Aug 06, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

But Draws More Criticism for Congressional Break

(KCPW News) Just before voting for Congress to adjourn last week, Utah Representative Jim Matheson joined other moderate Democrats in introducing the Fuel Act. It's a bill he says will address all aspects of the energy crisis.

"I think the most key provision is that it's got so many provisions, that it says we need to be comprehensive in looking at national energy policy, that there's no single fix, and too much of the rhetoric out of Washington from members of both parties is that there's one simple, single fix," said Matheson. "The reality is that we need to take a look at doing it all."

The Fuel Act would lift the ban on oil exploration and drilling on the outer continental shelf, a move that Republicans have been calling for. The bill would also push oil shale and tar sand leasing in western states along with renewable energy tax credits.

Matheson's Republican opponent this election, Bill Dew, is running an ad in the Valley Journals today accusing Matheson of putting off the energy problem. But the congressman says although he voted in favor of taking a five-week break, he's working, not taking a vacation. Still, he acknowledges that Congress won't have much time to hammer out an energy fix when it returns in September.

"Quite frankly, at this point, Congress is scheduled to be in session for three more weeks in this calendar year, so it's gonna have to happen in September," he said. "I think you're seeing movement on this issue from a number of folks. I noticed Barack Obama announced last Friday he's open now to looking at offshore drilling."

Congress's decision to adjourn last week was split almost entirely along partisan lines, with Democrats voting yes and Republicans voting no. Republican Congressman Rob Bishop voted against it and told the Deseret News that he plans to return to Washington to protest the break.

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