Earlier this week, Rep. John Larson (D-CT) voiced his disappointment in his colleagues in the Senate, who defeated the NAT GAS Act as an amendment to the Transportation Bill 51-47. As the final tally indicates, a majority of Senators supported the bill, however, Senate rules required a supermajority of 60 votes.
“Only in the U.S. Senate can a common sense bill like the NAT GAS Act get a majority of the votes and still fail,” Congressman Larson said.
Throughout his seven terms in Congress representing Connecticut’s First District, Rep. Larson has been a staunch advocate of ending America’s dangerous addiction to foreign oil.
The NAT GAS Act was crafted with that goal in mind. It will provide a tax credit for the purchase of a natural gas truck; create a new tax credit for equipment manufacturers that produce natural gas vehicles (NGVs) to encourage production and sale in the U.S.; and, provide grants for the development of light- and heavy-duty NGVs and engines to ensure the U.S. stays at the forefront of clean energy development.
“Natural gas is affordable, abundant and American. It costs one-third less to fill up with natural gas than gasoline and we have enough natural gas here at home to meet our energy needs for the next 100 years, which means we can start weaning ourselves off foreign oil today,” Congressman Larson said.
The Congressman is also mindful of the powerful effects that developing this technology will have on the U.S. economy.
“And on the jobs front, if we start making cars and trucks that run on natural gas, which the NAT GAS Act would help encourage, there’s the potential to create over a half a million American jobs. That’s why President Obama included NAT GAS as an important piece in his All-the-Above energy strategy,” Congressman Larson said.
On the House side, the NAT GAS Act enjoys over 180 bipartisan sponsors. Congressman Larson vows to continue to fight for the NAT GAS Act in the House of Representatives.
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