(Alexandria, Va.) -- As Congress prepares to return to Washington and debate proposals to punish energy providers for rising prices, the 362,000-member National Taxpayers Union (NTU) has launched a Web site dedicated to educating taxpayers on the true targets of these taxes and regulations: America's truck drivers, businesses, consumers, and families. This and other economic facts about the nation's energy policy can be found at www.NoNewEnergyTaxes.com.
Despite claims to the contrary, www.NoNewEnergyTaxes.com shows how hiking taxes on oil, gas, or coal companies will only decrease domestic production and increase our dependence on foreign sources, which in turn will drive up utility bills, gas prices, and food costs -- at a time when taxpayers can least afford it.
NTU also has launched an aggressive print and radio advertising campaign in select states whose Senators and Representatives hold key votes on energy issues. Archived versions of the ads are available on the new Web site as well. NTU is devoting considerable time to these efforts because -- its grassroots team contends -- if tax hikes on such politically convenient targets such as "Big Oil" are defeated, Congress may be dissuaded from pushing for tax increases on other activities or products.
The site serves as an information hub, containing analyses from expert economists and charts explaining who actually pays energy taxes and what determines energy prices. Future content will include media updates, commentaries, and communications to Congress.
NTU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit citizen organization founded in 1969 to work for lower taxes, smaller government, and economic freedom at all levels. The group has long been involved in energy issues, from the Nixon-era price controls to the Carter-era Windfall Profits tax to the recent Republican- and Democrat-backed energy legislation. Note: For more information on NTU's work, visit www.ntu.org.