1977 Scorecard Vote
Energy Tax Incentives provisions of the National Energy Policy Act (HR 5263). The vote is on the Hart amendment to delete from the bill a tax credit of $3 per barrel for oil derived from shale rock. The tax credit would subsidize oil shale projects that were not commercially feasible for private investment, and make them profitable at the public's expense. Oil shale development is destructive to both land and water resources. The processing could cause carcinogens to leach into leaking water, and would leave mountains of tailings for which no good disposal methods have been devised. The Administration did not lobby on this amendment. Environmentalists supported Hart. Rejected 36-47. October 28, 1977. Yes is the correct vote.
pro-environment position