API Statement on Senate Finance Committee Climate Hearing

Robert Dodge | 202-682-8127 | dodger@api.org

WASHINGTON, August 4, 2009 - The American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement today from President Jack Gerard on the climate hearing by the Senate Finance Committee:

"As the Senate Finance Committee continues its series of hearings on climate change, it is encouraging that senators are considering issues related to the distribution of free allowances under a cap-and-trade system.

Senators should understand that copying the ill-conceived House approach will not contribute to a comprehensive energy policy that creates jobs, grows the economy and addresses climate change. The House approach places a disproportionate burden on all consumers of gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, propane and other petroleum products.

The House approach relies on a flawed distribution of free allowances that picks winners and losers as the nation transitions to low-carbon sources. The House plan would hold refiners responsible for 44 percent of emissions but only allocate to them 2.25 percent of allowances.

The Senate should start over and design a system that is equitable as well as economically and environmentally efficient. It should take into consideration the huge burden placed on consumers and the transportation industries, as well as encourage the use of low-emission natural gas. Going forward, any consideration of cap-and-trade allocations should include input from the users and producers of transportation fuels, including the oil and natural gas industry."