Once again, Sununu votes against New Hampshire and for big oil

For Immediate Release - December 7, 2007
Contact: Bill Lofy - 603-573-5067

Senator John E. Sununu today voted to give the oil industry over $20 billion in tax giveaways at the expense of New Hampshire families. The Energy Independence and Security Act, which Sununu voted against, would create jobs in the renewable energy industry, save New Hampshire families money in gas costs, and start to tackle global warming through energy efficiency. In addition, the bill would roll back about $21 billion in tax subsidies to big oil.

“It’s not surprising that John Sununu is doing a favor for his special interest friends in Washington, but you would think that at a time when our economy needs new industry and gas prices are over $3.00 a gallon, Sununu would at least consider the interests of New Hampshire families,” said Bill Lofy, Director of the Stop Sununu campaign of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

“This bill would save money, create jobs, and develop alternative energy sources for New Hampshire. But John Sununu knows where his loyalties lie: with his party and the special interests who fund his campaigns. He was a top recipient of the oil and gas industry in 2002, and since then he has accepted over $170,000 from oil and gas companies. It’s time our senator started standing up for New Hampshire for a change,” Lofy concluded.

Sununu’s vote against ending tax giveaways for the oil and gas industry is the latest in a long list of pro-industry votes. In 2005, he voted twice against giving income tax rebates to consumers through a windfall profits tax on big oil. He voted in 2003 and 2005 against raising fuel efficiency standards. In 2007, he voted twice against raising money from oil companies to fund alternative energy. As a Congressman, he even introduced legislation to cut subsidies for car companies to research more fuel efficient cars.

The vote is also the most recent example of Sununu marching in lock step with President Bush. Had the bill passed, the president was expected to veto it.