Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement regarding his opposition to the Republican energy bill (H.R. 6).

“Congress had the opportunity to move forward on an energy policy for the 21st Century. Instead, Republican leaders created an energy policy that takes us back to the Dark Ages.

“We needed a George Jetson energy policy, and instead we got one built by Fred Flintstone.

“I said no to this irresponsible energy policy because this bill ignores our national security by refusing to reduce our dependence on oil.

“I said no because this bill harms our environment and our health by weakening the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

“I said no because this bill fails to help my constituents and community businesses with skyrocketing gas prices. The Bush Administration’s own Department of Energy reported that this bill will actually increase gas prices by three cents a gallon and have almost no impact on production, consumption, or prices.

“Even worse, the bill opens up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. This shortsighted action would cost us a national treasure and devastate the wildlife that depends on it.

“Closer to home, the energy bill contains a harmful provision that makes it harder for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to intervene in a contract dispute like the one between the Snohomish County Public Utility District and Enron. We should be strengthening consumer protections, not weakening them.

“We need cleaner, cheaper energy. But this bill hands out 93 percent of the included tax incentives to traditional energy sources like oil and natural gas. It gives only seven percent of those incentives to emerging energy technologies, renewable energy sources, and energy efficiency and conservation efforts.

“The Democratic alternative that I supported would have promoted those important efforts, lowered gas prices, and improved consumer protections. That amendment failed, and this bill will move on without those improvements.

“I said no to the Republican energy bill because Americans deserve better.”