(Washington, DC) –Congresswoman Cathy McMorris (WA-05) and the House of Representatives voted in favor of H.R. 3893, the Gasoline for America Security (GAS) Act of 2005. The GAS Act (H.R. 3893) puts forward a plan to lower the cost of gasoline and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy.

“One of my top priorities is to provide economic growth for the region, yet this becomes increasingly difficult when consumers are paying such high gas prices,” said McMorris. “Unfortunately there are no quick fixes to provide immediate relief, but this bill will put us on a path to produce more oil here at home and foster greater conservation and efficiency. We must also continue to focus on renewable energy projects that are vital to the Pacific Northwest.”

McMorris supports many renewable energy projects in Eastern Washington. This last week she toured the Hopkins Wind Farm in Dayton and has also visited PNNL where they conducted research on bio-products. McMorris is a cosponsor of H.R. 2498, a bill that would extend the tax incentives for the use of biodiesel through 2010. Biodiesel not only promotes the use of alternative fuel, but would also create a new market for our Eastern Washington farmers by allowing them to develop new crops.

The Gas Act of 2005 seeks to lower gasoline prices within the market system without resorting to price controls. It will do this by increasing capacity, streamlining fuel supply, providing transparency in gasoline pricing, fighting price gouging, reducing bureaucracy and revitalizing refineries.

The Gas Act: