Energy next item on Ways and Means jobs agenda

Ways and Means Chairman Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) said his committee will take up energy legislation with an emphasis on job creation after Congress returns from Easter recess.  

"We'll be focuses in on jobs," he said. "And we're going to invite all our colleagues to come as well as the CBO to talk about jobs."

Committee member Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) has already started the conversation. 

He introduced legislation on Thursday extending a slew of ethanol-related tax credits slated to begin expiring this year. Experts say extending the measures will save 112,000 jobs. 

"At a time when our economy is struggling, we cannot afford to let these tax incentives expire," he said. 

Pomeroy will offer his bill for discussion when the committee takes up energy. The measure has not been scored and it doesn't include offsets. 

A big issue for the committee will be offsetting its energy initiative. 

Ways and Means member Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) said the committee has talked about ending tax preferences for oil producers to help pay for its energy/jobs bill.  

"It's been discussed," he told The Hill. "I'm not saying it's gonna happen, but it's been discussed."

Pomeroy will likely oppose ending those tax breaks.

"We've got an awful lot of domestic oil production coming online and a lot of it in my state," he told The Hill. "So I'll be tracking that with great interest."

Oil lobbyists say tax increases on their industry will hurt job creation, which is something most lawmakers don't want, especially in an election year. 

"It's gotta be related to jobs," Pascrell said about the committee's agenda. "Or I don't want to hear about it."