Gas Has Risen By Over $2.00 A Gallon Since Obama Took Office

President Barack Obama is campaigning in Boulder City, Nevada, today and – while his liberal pals Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley stay back in Washington – Nevadans are paying dearly for their failed energy agenda.

When Barack Obama took office a gallon of gasoline was $1.85, but today it’s $3.86, an increase of over $2.00.  Additionally, the average price of gas has reached a record high price for the month of March.

Berkley also supports Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi’s job-killing cap-and-trade bill, which if passed would result in higher energy bills for families in Nevada.

Notably, Berkley joined with Barack Obama in blocking the Keystone Pipeline – legislation that would create 20,000 American jobs.

“After three years of Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Shelley Berkley’s failed energy policies, Nevadans have seen their gas prices increase by over $2.00 a gallon,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “Between Berkley’s support for cap-and-trade and her fierce opposition to the Keystone Pipeline, it’s clear Nevadans can no longer afford the Obama-Reid-Berkley job-killing energy initiatives.” 

BACKGROUND …

The Failed Energy Polices Of Barack Obama & Shelley Berkley

HIGHER GAS PRICES

When Barack Obama Took Office, The Price For A Gallon Of Regular Gasoline Was $1.847. (Energy Information Administration, Accessed 2/7/12)

The Price For A Gallon Of Regular Gasoline On March 19, 2012 Was $3.867. (Energy Information Administration, Accessed 3/20/12)

The Average Price Of A Gallon Of Regular Is At The Highest Ever Recorded Price In March. “The average price of a gallon of regular is now $3.87, the highest recorded price in March. The average price is up nearly 4 cents from a week ago, and over 30 cents from a year ago, according to the Department of Energy, as more drivers face gas prices of $4 a gallon or more across the country. Last week, the average gas price was $3.83 a gallon, the previous record according to data going back to 1990.” (Zunaira Zaki, “Highest Gas Price Recorded In March,” ABC News, 3/19/12)

A JOB-KILLING CAP-AND-TRADE BILL

In 2009, Berkley Voted For Passage Of A Bill That Created A Cap-And-Trade System For Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Set New Requirements For Electric Utilities. “Passage of the bill that would create a cap-and-trade system for limiting greenhouse gas emissions and set new requirements for electric utilities. The EPA would be allowed to auction emission allowances to permit the buyer to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. Under the bill, three-quarters of emission allowances would be provided to polluters free of charge, based on formulas, when the cap-and-trade program would begin in 2012. Remaining allowances would be sold at auction. By 2030, 75 percent of the allowances would be sold to polluters by EPA. The bill would limit emissions at 17 percent below current levels in 2020, 42 percent in 2030 and 83 percent in 2050. Companies such as electric utilities, refineries and factories could buy and sell pollution allowances and get credit for funding special projects to reduce emissions on farms and in forests. It would require utilities to produce 15 percent of the nation’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020, with another 5 percent energy savings from efficiency. States could petition to bring the renewable mandate down to 12 percent, with 8 percent from efficiency. It would set new emissions standards for coal-fired power plants, and new energy efficiency and water use standards for buildings and products. It would establish programs to assist energy consumers with higher utility bills as a result of the system. It also would create programs for electrical transmission lines, smart grid technologies, modernizing electricity infrastructure to respond to changing conditions, reduction of emissions, increased energy efficiency, and carbon capture and sequestration.” (H.R. 2454, CQ Vote # 477: Passed by a vote of 219-212: R 8-168; D 211-44, 6/26/09, Berkley Voted Yea)

BLOCKING THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE

Berkley Voted Against Requiring The White House To Make A Permitting Decision On Keystone XL By November 1, 2011.  “Passage of the bill that would require the administration to make a permitting decision on the Keystone XL oil pipeline within 30 days after the final environmental impact statement is issued or by Nov. 1, whichever is earlier. It would direct the president, working through the Energy secretary, to coordinate with federal agencies to make sure necessary review stages are expedited.” (H.R. 1938, CQ Vote #650: Passed by a vote of 279-147: R 232-3; D 47-144, 7/26/11, Berkley Voted Nay)

Berkley Voted Against A Payroll Tax Extension Bill That Required The President To Approve The Keystone XL Pipeline Within 60 Days. “Passage of the bill that would extend the 4.2 percent employee payroll tax rate through 2012. It also would provide for a 1 percent increase in Medicare payments rates to doctors in 2012 and 2013, preventing a reduction scheduled to occur in 2012. The bill also would extend workers’ eligibility for certain expanded unemployment benefits through January 2013 and would make certain changes to eligibility criteria for the benefits. It also would reduce the maximum duration of benefits from 99 weeks to 59 weeks. The bill would increase the fees charged by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for guaranteeing home loans by at least 0.1 percentage point and, beginning in 2017, would raise Medicare premiums paid by people making over $80,000 per year. It also would require the president to approve the Keystone XL pipeline permit application within 60 days of the bill’s enactment unless it is determined that the pipeline is not in the national interest.” (H.R. 3630, CQ Vote #923: Passed By A Vote Of 234-193, R 224-14; D 10-179, 12/13/11, Berkley Voted Nay)