News: Media Center

WASHINGTON (October 26, 2005) -- The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) today applauded the 9-9 defeat of Chairman James Inhofe's (R-Okla.) "GAS Price Act" in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that would have relaxed permitting regulations for oil refineries and weakened environmental protections.

The following is a statement by Karen Wayland, legislative director of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

"The GAS Price Act would have done nothing to address the real energy production problems we face. NRDC commends the committee for defeating this plan that would have undermined existing environmental protections and given away even more subsidies to the oil industry. This industry is currently reaping record profits and is expected to report nearly $100 billion in profits this year.

"The House and Senate have made it clear. People aren't buying old solutions to our energy problems. This Senate bill was defeated. Chairman Barton's House version of this bill barely squeaked through, and even then it only passed with serious arm-twisting.

"This is a vote against opening the door to increases in pollution that would harm the public's health. We are hopeful that Congress will find some real solutions to our energy challenges by increasing vehicle fuel performance and helping low-income people stay warm this winter, instead of giving more gifts to the oil industry."

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 1 million members and online activists nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco.