Bradley Supports Iniatives that Will Help to Lower Gas Prices

BRADLEY SUPPORTS INITIATIVES THAT WILL HELP TO LOWER GAS PRICES
Introduces legislation to lift tariff on foreign ethanol; supports anti-price gouging measure

(Washington, D.C.) - First District Congressman Jeb Bradley introduced legislation in the House of Representatives this week that would permanently repeal the 2.5 percent tariff and the 54 cents-per-gallon duty on imported ethanol into the United States.

Ethanol is widely used as an alternative to the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MtBE), which has been banned by a number of states, including New Hampshire, due to health risks. The increased use of ethanol as an additive to gasoline, combined with requirements increasing the use of biofuels, has put stress on the domestic ethanol supply and is one of the contributing factors to today's high gasoline prices.

"There is no need, especially during a time of supply constraints, for domestic ethanol producers to be further protected and subsidized by American drivers. Removing these import barriers will help to immediately lower the price of gasoline," stated Bradley.

Bradley is also a cosponsor of H.R. 5253, a bill that will ban price gouging at the pump and set penalties for civil and criminal offenses. The House passed this legislation yesterday.

"High gas prices affect everyone, from the individual driving to work, to the family on vacation. These two bills are some of the first steps we can take in addressing the problems that all Americans are facing at the pump," Bradley concluded.

Bradley's bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for further consideration.

http://www.house.gov/bradley/20060504_main.html