As Coleman Stands with Bush to Block Relief, Franken Offers New Three Point Plan to Address Energy Crisis — Now
Posted in Press Releases on July 28th, 2008
Coleman Puts Speculators First, Franken Offers Real Proposals To Help Minnesotans
SAINT PAUL [07/28/08] – DFL-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken today outlined a new plan to address our short-term energy crisis and challenged Republican Senator Norm Coleman (R – Big Oil) to support three proposals that would address the energy crisis and bring down the price of gas for Minnesotans – this year.
Al Franken:
“We’ve had enough of Norm Coleman’s empty rhetoric – and more than enough of his steadfast alliance with Big Oil. Today, I’m calling for three simple things we could do to address the energy crisis and lower gas prices – not in 22 years, but this year. It’s time for a change in Washington, and for Norm Coleman to start helping Minnesotans instead of George Bush and their special interest friends.”
Franken’s three proposals:
1. Eliminate The “Speculator Tax.” Franken will stop Wall Street speculators from adding as much as $40 to the price of a barrel of oil by making commodities trading more transparent. NOTE: Coleman voted to keep the “Speculator Tax” on Friday.
2. Free The SPR. Franken will demand that the President release 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve within the next 100 days, increasing supply, lowering prices to consumers, and generating at least $5 billion in revenue.
3. Insulation For Home Heating Costs. With part of that revenue, Franken will push for a $500 million expansion of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which improves the energy efficiency of a participant’s home. WAP has been proven to cut heating bills by 31% and reduce overall household energy costs by $358 per year.
