Story Published:
Sep 19, 2005 at 2:12 PM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 1:04 AM PST
OLYMPIA - Republicans in the state Senate want to do something about the high cost of fuel, but they're stopping short of supporting their colleagues in the House who want a suspension of the gas tax for farmers, truckers and school districts.
Instead, they're supporting the governor's call for a shift to alternative sources of fuel. The Senate Republicans are not looking for a short-term price break. They want long-term solutions to our dependence on foreign oil.
They say one of the biggest problems is the red tape this state imposes on oil companies, preventing them from building new refineries.
"It's been 30 years in the U.S. since any new refinery was built," said Republican State Senator Bob Morton (R-Senate Water, Energy & Environment Committee). "This really is unacceptable."
If Republicans get their way in the upcoming legislative session, oil companies will have an easier time building a new refinery, perhaps in Hoquiam, that will be environmentally sound.
Their plan, unveiled Monday, also calls for more production of so-called 'green fuels' such as bio-diesel and ethanol, tax breaks for farmers to grow the crops to make the fuel and incentives for us to convert our vehicles.
"So we're proposing to eliminate the sales and use tax on the parts and service needed to make the vehicle to burn high green fuel concentrations," said Republican State Senator Joyce Mulliken (R-Ephrata).
Last week the governor made the same pitch for a switch to alternative fuels.
"Maybe the silver lining from the rise in these energy prices is that it'll become more economically feasible for both of those groups to shift over to bio-diesel if we are able to produce it," said Republican State Senator Bill Finkbeiner (R-Kirkland).
It's not just gas. There's a call to cap the utility tax on home heating fuel and electricity especially for folks on fixed incomes.
"Because they're going to be hit hard this winter, very hard this winter," said Republican Senator Dave Schmidt (R-Mill Creek). "They're going to have to be making choices between are they going to heat their home or are they going to buy food."
Some of the Senate Republicans would like to see a special session next month to put that cap into effect this winter.
The governors office says there's no need for an expensive special session, but she embraces their call for alternative fuel production.
