With gas, oil and fuel prices hitting their highest points ever in 2008, some members of Congress have stepped up to the plate to begin to resolve some of America’s energy issues. In an effort to bypass a stalemate at the end of the July session of Congress, five Democrats and five Republicans—referring to themselves as the Gang of 10—presented a plan to resolve America’s energy woes.
Members of the Gang of 10: Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.).
But what did this Gang of 10 come up with? Called the New Energy Reform Act of 2008, you may also hear the term "the new ERA” bandied about. While their initial goal was to ease the high cost of fuel for everyone in our nation, they are also aiming for a plan that will ease the switchover of the nation’s motor vehicle fleets to alternative fuels. The proposal also includes conservation provisions, consumer tax credits, and smart methods to increase domestic fuel production.
While the cost of the plan rings in around 84 billion dollars, the good news is that a good portion can be covered by the plan's proposal to slash the tax breaks that big oil companies receive.
Currently being written up as a bill by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)., we are looking forward to the adoption and institution of the New Energy Reform Act of 2008. It’s a step that this country should have taken a long time ago.