Skip to main content

Obama to propose oil tax to fund transportation projects

President Obama is to propose a US$10 a barrel tax on crude oil to fund the overhaul of the US transportation infrastructure. White House officials say the president’s 21st Century Clean Transportation System, funded by a new fee paid by oil companies would increase American investments in clean transportation infrastructure by roughly 50 per cent while reforming the investments already made to help reduce carbon pollution, cut oil consumption and create new jobs. They say the new fee on oil will also en
February 8, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
President Obama is to propose a US$10 a barrel tax on crude oil to fund the overhaul of the US transportation infrastructure.

White House officials say the president’s 21st Century Clean Transportation System, funded by a new fee paid by oil companies would increase American investments in clean transportation infrastructure by roughly 50 per cent while reforming the investments already made to help reduce carbon pollution, cut oil consumption and create new jobs. They say the new fee on oil will also encourage American innovation and leadership in clean technologies to help reshape our transportation landscape for the decades ahead.

Set to be announced in Obama’s Fiscal 2017 budget this week, the plan would provide nearly US$20 billion a year to help expand transit systems across the country and more than US$2 billion a year to support the research and development of self-driving vehicles and other low-carbon technologies.

“By placing a fee on oil, the President’s plan creates a clear incentive for private sector innovation to reduce our reliance on oil and at the same time invests in clean energy technologies that will power our future,” the White House said in a statement.

A leading Republican, Kevin McCarthy, whose area produces oil, said the plan would go nowhere in Congress, adding that it “would undoubtedly be passed along to consumers and would hit the American people with added costs during a period of prolonged economic insecurity in a weak economy.”

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx called the proposal a "bold new plan that will create a clean transportation system and increase overall investment in ways that give American communities more climate friendly choices."

Related Content

  • July 11, 2014
    US business leaders discuss concerns over transportation funding
    US business leaders briefed Vice President Joe Biden and US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx yesterday on business issues associated with transportation infrastructure during a meeting hosted by the White House Business Council and Business Forward. Meeting participants included executives from large manufacturers, shipping companies, trade associations, and a range of other businesses, including Doug Oberhelman, chairman and CEO, Caterpillar, and Matt Rose, executive chairman, Burlington Northern S
  • May 1, 2014
    IBTTA applauds Administration’s proposal to lift ban on interstate tolling
    The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has applauded the Obama Administration for including language in its surface transportation reauthorisation proposal, the Grow America Act, released earlier today that would ‘eliminate the prohibition on tolling existing free Interstate highways.’
  • November 28, 2012
    ITS America maps out implications and opportunities for ITS industry
    A critical milestone was reached in July 2012, when the US Congress passed, and President Obama signed, legislation reauthorising the nation's surface transportation programs, breaking a nearly three-year log-jam which had blocked critical transportation reforms and delayed much-needed infrastructure projects. In a town where compromise is sometimes considered an endangered species, Republicans and Democrats came together during a months-long series of negotiations and hashed out a bipartisan agreement that
  • June 5, 2015
    Tolling is the 21st century’s road funding solution
    HNTB’s Rick Herrington and Brad Guilmino put the case for tolling. Tolling is becoming the 21st century solution of choice for generating additional user-based transportation revenue. The proven funding source is being seriously considered for expanded use by cities, states and even the federal government with support from elected officials across the political spectrum. In fact, with each federal transportation reauthorisation, tolling restrictions have been relaxed.