Corporate tax-break bill is celebrated

Tax breaks of billions of dollars will be handed to fossil-fuel industries in the aftermath of a corporate tax bill that just passed in Congress (69-17). The bill was originally intended to repeal a violation of free-trade agreements involving an export tax. Many harmful additions piggy-backed the law as it passed.

It is depressing that environmentalists are happy about this; the current administration has done so little for the environment that any small effort is greatly appreciated. Environmentalists worked hard to keep the bill from having an even worse energy policy, and are glad for the minor triumph. They fought the $15 billion tax breaks for corporations originally included in the bill. Having fewer handouts to energy corporations gives a slight glimmer of hope to the environmentalist's campaign.

Sen. John McCain pessimistically told Congress that the bill is a strong example of how the government works for corporations and special interests at the expense of taxpayers. A loophole in the legislation allows energy companies to reclassify their work as a "manufactured good," according to CommonDreams.org, allowing them to gain tax breaks of around $76.5 billion. Exxon-Mobil and Chevron are two companies that stand to gain substantially from the bill. The administration has defended it by saying this break will allow the creation of more jobs. McCain disagrees. He believes that jobs in manufacturing will not be created and the loophole will allow movie studios, real estate developers and construction companies to qualify for the break by calling themselves "manufacturers."

Eventually our leaders will realize that the American lifestyle is unsustainable, and when that happens environmentalists will have to work even harder with world leaders to turn back the damage done in the last four years.

One slightly optimistic part of the bill gives alternative-energy industries a $2 billion tax credit over nine years. The problem is that refined coal and waste incineration are counted as alternative fuel. The incineration includes batteries, plastics and animal feces in addition to the expected domestic and business waste. Burning these things is not good for the environment, as it produces more air pollution and is not a significant clean alternative fuel. But at least it's a tiny step in the right direction.

Oil companies receive another tax break for working on the Alaska gas pipeline, which many activists spoke against. Four different real-estate corporations were included in a tax break if they agree to use environmentally sound construction practices.The bill also depressingly reauthorizes the tax break to those who drive large pollution-producing SUV's or Hummers. Anyone who cares about air quality should be up-in-arms about this bad news.

This bill should not have passed. It is a sad day when pessimistic environmentalists celebrate even this little victory.