OK Senator Reacts To Obama's New Oil Tax Plan

Gas is cheaper right now, but a new plan by President Obama to fund clean energy projects and repair America’s highways could add a new tax on oil.

The national average for gas right now is a $1.76, according to AAA. Estimates show a $10 tax on a barrel of oil could add 25 to the price at the pump.

Oil prices are at historic lows, and your trip to the gas station might be a cheaper one, but Obama is set to roll out his budget proposal to Congress next week, and in that plan is a new tax on oil.

“The point is, it's right to do it now when gas prices are really low," he said.

Under his plan, customers might see a 25 cent increase per gallon at the pump.

Obama said the whole point of the tax is to help fund more infrastructure projects and get America rolling on cleaner fuels.

2/5/2016 Related Story: Obama Wants $10 A Barrel Oil Tax To Fund Roads

The president said, "Ten years from now, 15 years from now, 20 years from now, we're going to be in a much stronger position when oil starts getting tight again, prices start going up again we will have further weaned our economy off dirty fuels."

Tulsa's energy sector isn't buying the idea.

“To me, the only thing the president is trying to accomplish is to further damage a wounded industry that he doesn't like," said Oil company owner, Bob Sullivan.

Sullivan doesn't think a new $10 per gallon tax on a barrel of oil will help anyone right now.

"It's going to get passed through the oil companies directly to the gas pump. I think it's going to be very hard on Oklahomans. I don't see the logic of it. I don't see what's accomplished by it," he said.

Oklahoma Senator James Lankford learned of the president's tax idea on Thursday.

"And my immediate response was the president has been consistent all the way to the end, that he's still finding ways to be able to attack oil and gas even at the very end. It's not going to pass clearly," he said.

It's also going to be a tough sell on the Republican-controlled Congress.

The president expects to announce his yearly budget on Tuesday.