Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), questioned Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner again on how many jobs would be lost due to American energy taxes proposed in the President’s budget passed last week.

“I would specifically like to know:  How many current jobs do you anticipate will be eliminated or moved overseas by the President’s tax increase on domestic energy producers,” Boustany asked.  “Has the Administration performed any specific analysis related to job loss? If not, why?  If so, what analysis has been done of energy support jobs that would be lost?”

Boustany, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, heard testimony from Geithner during the committee’s examination of the President’s budget.  The President’s $3.5 trillion budget calls for increased taxes on American energy producers by $2 billion.  In addition, the EPA estimated the proposed cap and trade energy tax would translate into an extra $1.27 per gallon paid by U.S. energy consumers.  Last summer, gas prices topped $4 per gallon.

Boustany continues to advocate a comprehensive energy plan to create American jobs and decrease our dependence on foreign sources of fuel as the country transitions to new types of fuel sources over the coming years.

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