Cranberry Township, PA - Today, Melissa Hart called on Jason Altmire to sign the discharge petition for the Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Act (H.R. 2208).  This is a bi-partisan bill that would help to relieve the price pressure on gasoline by encourage use of technology that converts coal to a usable liquid fuel.  This is a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) and co-sponsored by Pennsylvania Congressmen Doyle, Shuster and Murphy.

 

"Altmire continues to hold news conferences and issue statements purporting to support utilization of more coal, however he has failed to match his actions with his rhetoric.  It has become a regular event for Altmire to pay lip service to a popular issue, only to refuse to act on it.  He continues be in lock step with his Washington, D.C. leaders who oppose coal-to-liquid technology and refuse to schedule a vote on the House floor to move this technology forward to commercial use," said Melissa Hart. 

 

She added, "the discharge petition process is obviously not the normal route to getting an important issue to the House floor for up-or-down vote.  However, Jason's chosen Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has left few options since she continues to manipulate the voting schedule to prevent energy legislation from being considered.  With Altmire's support, she has even cancelled committee meetings to avoid votes to open new areas to exploration.  Altmire should sign the discharge petitions to bring this and other energy legislation to the House floor. It's long overdue that Altmire stand up for the best interests of his district and not San Francisco."

 

 The Coal to Liquid Fuel Act would:

 

·        Reduce the price of gasoline by encouraging the commercial use of clean coal-to-liquid technology

·        Authorize the Secretary of Energy to enter into loan agreements with coal-to-liquid projects that produce innovative transportation fuel

 

"Altmire continues to ride in his car for which the taxpayers are paying his fuel bills, and watch gas prices soar for the rest of us.  He has failed to offer real solutions or support those that are put forward that could help to reduce the price of gasoline.  Just yesterday, Altmire voted against a proposal which would have allowed consideration of the Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Act." (Roll Call Vote # 474)

 

"This lip service and obstructionist behavior is exactly what makes people cynical about politics.  The voters will certainly have a lot to think about before they head to the polls in November.  As each day passes, gas prices go up and Jason tells tales while he avoids the issue.  We need a better team in Washington in January.  It's time to put new players on the field who will match their words with action--who will address critical issues with solutions, and not just talk about them."

 

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