Congress Voting To Blast US Environment With H.R. 7

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to consider passage of H.R. 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012 sometime soon – maybe even tomorrow. Judging by the title of the bill, it sounds like a positive piece of legislation. Who doesn’t want energy improvements? Who doesn’t want jobs? Who doesn’t want to invest in infrastructure?

The reality of H.R. 7 isn’t as simple as such superficial questions would reveal. It’s not appropriate to judge this bill by its title.

H.R. 7 is designed to reward big oil and gas corporations that have made large financial contributions to members of Congress. The bill would open up huge areas along America’s shores to offshore drilling, although there has been no legislation passed by Congress to prevent a repeat of the terrible Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. Nearly two years later, the oil companies responsible for the huge expense resulting from the Deepwater Horizon disaster have yet to pay for their full share of the damages and cleanup expense.

The legislation also eliminates federal funding for mass transit. Cutting federal support for mass transit hurts middle and lower income Americans looking for work in our challenging economy by reducing the physical area they are able to include in a job search. It increases the burden on state and local governments at a time when these governments are already being forced to make drastic cuts. Local law enforcement costs will go up with fewer people using mass transit, as more automobiles clog already crowded roads. Gasoline consumption will rise, increasing energy costs and accelerating the increase in carbon dioxide emissions that are to blame for global warming. Global warming means more extreme weather events, putting yet more strain on local and state government budgets. Those mass transit routes that remain in place are likely to see increased fares as a result, further shrinking the income of working Americans.

While H.R. 7 takes money away from mass transit, it also cuts funding for programs to make pedestrian and bicycle transportation more realistic in crowded suburban and urban corridors. So, the legislation creates yet more strain on the nation’s roads, by giving people fewer alternatives to driving a car.

The authors of H.R. 7 claim that it will create jobs, but with all the cuts to mass transit and other transportation alternatives, and stress on local and state governments, there is sure to be large scale job elimination. The legislation will provoke an economic spiral downward as infrastructure creates higher costs for consumers with less benefit per dollar.

If H.R. 7 is signed into law, health care costs will go up as well. If more people choose to drive their cars instead of taking mass transit, that means more air and water pollution per commuter, resulting in smog, poisoned rivers, and groundwater contamination. It means more sick children and disabled adults, and an overburdened, underfunded medical system will have to pick up the bill.

In short, H.R. 7 is a complete disaster. If H.R. 7 goes into effect, it will create a negative feedback loop in communities across America, with crumbling resources and a growing economic burden for families who already can’t make ends meet.

Oil and gas corporations will benefit if H.R. 7 becomes law, but those corporations already are bringing in record profits. They don’t need our help. H.R. 7 deserves a quick ticket to the recycling bin.

First thing in the morning, call your member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and urge a vote against H.R. 7. The number for the Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121.