Climate Measure Would Raise Gas Tax But Not Fund Transportation

"The climate measure being crafted by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) is not expected to hit the street until Earth Day later this month. But with Graham indicating that a significant portion of the legislation's new gas fee would be repaid to consumers via rebates, the group of eight senators questioned the effectiveness of adding new fuel charges without attempting to make the nation's existing infrastructure more efficient."

A group of eight senators has voiced opposition to the plan. In addition, a coalition of 27 transportation groups have written to the measure's three authors to try to get the revenue from their proposed gas tax increased directed at transportation infrastructure projects.