Monday, March 24, 2008

Musgrave opposes renewable-energy tax credits


Marilyn Musgrave: still in the pocket of Big Oil. The Coloradoan reports:

Colorado is banking on it.

Everyone from Gov. Bill Ritter and state legislators to university researchers and city officials is dreaming about Colorado striking gold through the new energy economy.

That is why some people were surprised when Rep. Marilyn Musgrave voted against federal legislation extending renewable-energy tax credits that passed the House last month.

Surprised?

"The renewable energy credits would be paid for by reductions in tax credits for the oil and gas industry and would not add to the federal budget deficit. With oil at more than $100 a barrel, many folks think the petroleum industry needs no 'incentive' to look for oil."

Musgrave voted against House Resolution 5351 to extend $18 billion in tax breaks to public and private utilities in order to produce renewable energy.

The bill also provides incentives for biodiesel production and installation of alternative fuel stations - a movement Ritter has heavily promoted statewide.

The bill also promotes energy conservation and efficiency through tax breaks for net metering and credits to homeowners who make energy-efficient improvements to their property.

The bill, passed 236-182, is funded by eliminating tax breaks traditionally given to the oil and gas industry and is currently in the Senate.

Follow the money:

OpenSecrets.org, a nonprofit organization that follows campaign donations, showed Musgrave has accepted $10,000 from the oil and gas industry in the 2008 election cycle and nearly $125,000 since taking office.