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North Country
Gazette, May 17, 2006
Senate Majority Blocks Efforts To Reduce State's Gas
Usage
State Senator Liz Krueger has criticized the State and
Federal governments for failing to address the energy needs of New York State in the gas tax cut legislation
passed on Monday, May 15.
"While I supported this legislation because it provides modest relief to
consumers in the face of skyrocketing gas prices, I was deeply disappointed
that the legislation does little to encourage conservation, the use of
alternative fuels, or any other mechanisms for reducing our dependency on
oil," said Sen. Krueger. "Since the federal government continues to
fail to act, and has in fact contributed to our worsening energy situation,
New York State needs a long-term energy plan with an aggressive goal of
achieving energy independence within five to 10 years." http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/051606TaxReduction.html
Sen. Krueger joined her Democratic colleagues in supporting an amendment to
the gas tax cut that would have reduced the state's own energy consumption.
The amendment was defeated by the Senate's Republican Majority.
The Democratic amendment offered a number of innovations, including directing
the Office of General Services (OGS) to review the size and use of the state's
vehicle fleet and determine whether alternative fuel vehicles could be used.
It would have also required all state agencies to perform fuel efficiency
audits of their own transportation systems and fleets. OGS would have been
directed to develop and promote a comprehensive carpooling program, and all
State agencies would have been directed to encourage employees to explore
carpooling, mass transit and other alternatives. Alternative work schedules,
telecommuting and educating the public on conservation would also have been
explored under the amendment.
"This amendment was an opportunity to move beyond addressing the
symptoms of our dependence on foreign oil, and get at the root causes of that
dependency. Reducing the costs of a fill-up by 50 cents will provide some
benefit to commuters, but it will have absolutely no effect on long-term
costs," said Sen. Krueger. "If we really want to save the taxpayers
money, we need to reduce the amount the State spends on energy, and that can
only be accomplished through energy conservation measures and the development
of alternative fuels."
The state's energy usage costs taxpayers $300 million annually. New York's agencies
and authorities consume 50 million gallons annually of diesel fuel and 55
million gallons of heating oil.
Krueger noted that this legislation did include provisions requiring that gas
tax reductions be passed on to the consumer that were not included in similar
legislation passed by the Senate in the fall. "While I am happy this
bill contains some language to fight price-gouging, I have serious concerns
regarding the feasibility of enforcing such regulations at the thousands of
service stations across our State," said Sen. Krueger.
Krueger praised provisions of the gas tax legislation that offered tax
credits to consumers who purchase bio-diesel home heating oil or energy
efficient home heating systems, but argued that the State needed to go much
further in encouraging energy efficiency. "These provisions are only a
small first step toward the broader goal of reducing dependence on fossil
fuels. New York
State should be
encouraging alternative energy development, supporting 'green building'
technology, and using tax policy to discourage consumers from purchasing
energy inefficient cars and appliances," said Sen. Krueger.
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