Obama proposes oil tax for transport system overhaul
USA
WASHINGTON D.C., February 5, 2016 – US president Barack Obama plans to propose a USD 10-per-barrel tax on oil in his fiscal 2017 budget to revamp the country’s transportation system, the White House said Thursday.
The proposal calls for USD 32 billion to be spent on shifting the nation from transportation systems that rely on fossil fuels. The plan intends to spend USD 20 billion to reduce traffic and develop commuting, USD 10 billion for local transport and climate projects and USD 2 billion for research on green transport. It includes rewards for municipalities that lower pollution by introducing better transportation systems. It is intended to be slowly phased in over five years.
“By placing a fee on oil, the president’s plan creates a clear incentive for private sector innovation to reduce our reliance on oil and at the same time invests in clean energy technologies that will power our future,” the White House said in the statement.
The motion is expected to be formally unveiled next week when the president addresses Congress with his final budget.
If the bill is passed, the price per litre of petrol could increase as much as USD 0.07 for drivers.
It is expected that the new oil tax will be rejected by Congress, which is heavily controlled by Republicans.
“President Obama’s proposed USD 10 per barrel tax on oil is dead on arrival in the House,” said House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.
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