Oil Cleanup Tax Proposed
By: Ray Doughty
Updated: May 25, 2010
So far, BP says the cost of its Gulf oil spill is about 350 million and counting.
Federal officials insist the company will pay.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said, "We'll do everything we need to do to get BP to stop this slick, to clean this ocean and to pay these claims."
The Federal Government has ultimate authority to step in to prevent an even bigger disaster.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said, "I want some plan B and some plan C."
Stepping in could mean doing so with the taxpayer's checkbook.
Anthony Jones, who is against the oil tax said, “I don't feel that's our fault, that we should pay for their mistakes."
Congress is considering whether to quadruple an oil tax to 32 cents a barrel to help pay for cleanups like this. Not a popular idea with some.
Adrienne Butler, also against the oil tax said, "Oh God no! Please! How much more can we take?"
Followed by another, Greg Woodhead who said, "I think BP ought to be paying for this clean up. BP has made a lot of money. Let them go after the company."
The White House is also trying to get Congress to lift a 75 million dollar cap on damages.
And as distasteful as it may be, some taxpayers say they'd rather pay now rather than later.
Jake Devereaux, who is open to the oil tax said, "If they're not gonna step to the plate, I'd much rather have the Gulf get cleaned up."
A vote on the oil tax could come as early as today.
Federal officials insist the company will pay.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said, "We'll do everything we need to do to get BP to stop this slick, to clean this ocean and to pay these claims."
The Federal Government has ultimate authority to step in to prevent an even bigger disaster.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said, "I want some plan B and some plan C."
Stepping in could mean doing so with the taxpayer's checkbook.
Anthony Jones, who is against the oil tax said, “I don't feel that's our fault, that we should pay for their mistakes."
Congress is considering whether to quadruple an oil tax to 32 cents a barrel to help pay for cleanups like this. Not a popular idea with some.
Adrienne Butler, also against the oil tax said, "Oh God no! Please! How much more can we take?"
Followed by another, Greg Woodhead who said, "I think BP ought to be paying for this clean up. BP has made a lot of money. Let them go after the company."
The White House is also trying to get Congress to lift a 75 million dollar cap on damages.
And as distasteful as it may be, some taxpayers say they'd rather pay now rather than later.
Jake Devereaux, who is open to the oil tax said, "If they're not gonna step to the plate, I'd much rather have the Gulf get cleaned up."
A vote on the oil tax could come as early as today.
