Baucus, Grassley Unveil Modified Energy Tax Package

Press Release

BAUCUS, GRASSLEY UNVEIL MODIFIED ENERGY TAX PACKAGE

Finance leaders say changes to vital legislation deserve strong Senate support

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Finance Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today unveiled a modified package of energy tax legislation for consideration by Congress this year. The $21.8 billion legislation, similar to a package passed by the House last week, still advances the development of advanced electricity infrastructure, contains incentives to mitigate carbon emissions, promotes the production of alternative energy and the security of our domestic fuel supply, supports the use of alternative vehicles, and encourages energy savings and efficiency. The Senators said today that the modest changes they've made should allow the legislation to move forward to passage by the full Senate as part of the larger energy bill.

"If America's really going to make a change in terms of energy policy, encouraging new energy strategies in the tax code must be part and parcel of that effort. The energy tax package we're unveiling today in the Senate is just as strong and just as needed as the legislation passed by the House," said Baucus. "This tax package can help to chart a bold course toward energy independence for America, and will also eliminate outdated incentives from the past. Encouraging the development of renewable fuels, rewarding energy conservation, and requiring responsibility from today's energy producers are the right roles for tax policy to play in this country's energy future."

"This energy tax package builds on the tremendous legislative gains we've made in recent years to encourage renewable energy, develop domestic energy supplies and encourage greater conservation and energy efficiency. These tax policy initiatives help to buffer our economic and national security interests, protect the environment, and create jobs in the United States. An important component of the Senate version of this legislation is that it restores the wind-energy tax credit to current law and rolls back the misdirected limitation on the credit that was in the House bill," said Grassley.

Modifications to the package were also made in close consultation with Senate Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman, who is also a member of the Finance panel.

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