Murphy In the News: Some Lawmakers Still Pushing for Stimulus Green Jobs

Press Release

Since 2009, over $9.6 billion in taxpayer dollars has gone out to entities as different as Coca-Cola, Google, IKEA, the Grumpy Troll Restaurant and Brewpub, and Warren Buffet for wind and solar projects. Now, as the expiration date approaches, some lawmakers are pushing for a second extension to this "green jobs" program created in the economic stimulus bill.

But Congressman Tim Murphy, who has been helping to lead a House Energy and Commerce Committee investigation of a Department of Energy green energy loan program, which was enacted under the Economic Stimulus legislation and was responsible for the Solyndra debacle, told Fox News on Friday that the program is more evidence of spend now, ask questions later.

The stimulus bill, which Murphy voted against, created a cash grant program to allow major corporations to reduce their tax liability by investing in green energy projects (the "1603 payment in lieu of tax credits" program). Supporters argued the 1603 program was necessary to finance green energy projects that wouldn't otherwise attract private investment. However, more than $700 million was spent on projects that had already been started. Those tax dollars have been used by investors like Citigroup, Warren Buffet, and a restaurant, which received $16,000 to put solar panels on its roof.

Supporters are saying an extension of the taxpayer grant program is needed to support jobs.

"If the issue is making jobs, why say "no' to the Keystone Pipeline, which would create 100,000 jobs without spending a dime of taxpayer money?" asked Rep. Murphy. The Administration has blocked construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would shuttle 700,000 to 800,000 barrels of North American crude from Canada to the Gulf Coast. If the White House doesn't reverse its stance, the Canadian government has said it will export the oil to China instead.

Rep. Murphy is an original cosponsor of HR 3548, the North American Energy Access Act, which would create a structured process for federal energy regulators to approve the pipeline, including a modification to a route through Nebraska where local environmental concerns have been raised. Under the legislation, the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline would remain in harmony with the National Environmental Policy Act and enable construction to begin on the non-Nebraskan portion of the pipeline. Details and approval of the Nebraska route modification would be worked out.

In the next few weeks, Congress is likely to debate whether to extend a number of expiring legislative provisions.

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