Ellison wants to end fossil fuel subsidies

DFL U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison introduced legislation Thursday to end all subsidies for fossil fuels.

Ellison said the oil, gas and coal industries will get $113 billion worth of government support over the next decade even as Congress is cutting back subsidies for renewable energy programs. He told supporters in Washington that's not fair.

"We need to come to a very simple idea — that in the competition for resources between the old oil industry and the coal industry and the renewable industry, at least we can have a level playing field," he said.

Ellison said that at a time when food stamps and safety net programs are threatened with cuts, profitable industries should get no support from taxpayers.

Ellison's bill is unlikely to get a vote in the Republican-controlled House.

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