Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., is tamping down speculation that the climate change bill might include an increase in the gas tax, The Hill reported. Kerry declared that "there is no gas tax, never was a gas tax, will not be a gas tax" in the bill. Kerry also rejected speculation that oil companies might pay a fee linked to the cost of GHG emissions permits for plants by saying "there is not even a linked fee, there is not a tax, there is nothing similar."
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., reiterated Kerry's remarks by saying "there won't be a gas tax" and "the linked-fee idea is not going to be in" the bill, Bloomberg reported. The bill was expected to be released on Monday, but sources said senators were still working on its details. An industry source was quoted as saying of Kerry: "He's literally trying to promise everything to everybody. While his enthusiasm is appreciated, there's grave doubts he can hold the promises he makes."
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