Sen. Snowe Introduces Bill to Lower Diesel Tax

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) has introduced legislation to lower the federal tax on diesel fuel, to make it on par with the gasoline tax.

The Diesel Tax Parity Act would lower the diesel tax to 18.3 cents a gallon, from 24.3 cents, making it the same as the federal tax on gasoline.

“Our trucking industry and small businesses are in a crisis and drastic steps need to be undertaken by Congress,” Snowe said in a statement on her Web site. Diesel prices in Maine are as high as $4.56 a gallon, the statement said.

Snowe, who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, said high diesel prices have forced truckers and lobstermen to go out of business in her state, and that they are in need of help from Congress.

“The situation for Maine’s trucking industry is simply untenable and we need immediate action to lower the price of fuel for small businesses that are impacted by these historic costs,” she said.