Denver, CO-Democrats agree that President Bush and Republicans in Washington are exploiting the rising cost of gas prices to force support for their inadequate Energy Bill.

Recent polls have shown that over 70 percent of Americans are impacted negatively by the rising cost of gas. Many families in Colorado have to make dramatic changes to their monthly budgets to compensate for higher prices at the pump. Coloradoans making less than $30,000 a year are especially feeling the rising cost of gas.

The current average price of mid-grade gas in Colorado is now up to $2.41 per gallon. This is approximately 5 cents higher per gallon than the national average. More astonishing is the increase in gas price over the last 12 months. The average price for mid-grade one year ago was $1.98 per gallon. Coloradoans are paying an average of 43 cents more per gallon for mid-grade gas.

During an address on Wednesday to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President Bush urged Congress to pass his Energy Bill. On several occasions Bush has stated that this bill will help to lower gas prices for many Americans. However, a report done last year by the Department of Energy concluded that the Republican proposal would actually raise gas prices by 3 cents per gallon.

During yesterday’s house debate Democratic opponents of the Republican Energy Bill assailed that the bill is nothing more than a giveaway to corporate interest that threatens the environment, water supplies and human health.

Democrats agree that the Republican Energy Bill is a tax giveaway to big energy companies. The bill provides $8 billion in tax breaks targeted at the energy industry. A majority of the tax breaks will go to companies that are producing traditional forms of energy.

“Let’s be honest about who gains from the Republican tax breaks. It is definitely not the American public,” said Pat Waak, Colorado Democratic Party Chair. “It is companies like ExxonMobil Corporation, whose 2004 profits set a record, who truly benefit. The Republican plan to give additional tax breaks to gas companies profiting from rising gas prices is unacceptable.”

The Republican Energy Bill also provides the makers of MTBE protection from potential lawsuits regarding water contamination. In 2000, the Clinton Administration proposed acts to eliminates MTBE production and replace it with safer alternatives like ethanol.

MTBE is a dangerous chemical that is used by gas companies in gasoline to reduce carbon monoxide emissions from cars. While MTBE helps cars meet clean air standards, MTBE is also responsible for contaminating water supplies. The Energy Bill would divert contamination responsibilities from the MTBE producers and impose clean up costs to local governments already straining to address budget constraints.

“The MTBE provisions in the Energy Bill is nothing more than Republicans catering to big business instead of the American public,” said Pat Waak. “Americans deserve an energy policy that would provide assistance to companies that work on developing alternative energy sources, provide for a cleaner environment and ultimately lower America’s dependence on foreign oil.”

Congress is expected to vote on the Energy Bill today. It is expected to pass in the House because of the Republican majority.