GOP's energy bill reflects industry, White House priorities

[salin]

Note: WH priorities = Cheney's secret energy task force's priorities. Remember - he has appealed to the Supreme Court a ruling that would force him to reveal the identity of the members of the taskforce. He wants to stall the revelations until after this is passed. My take, they have to produce some payback in order to ensure the amount of campaign giving that they want. Also note that it was reported that industry insiders (lobbyists) were writing pieces of the legislation - and how would we know - the republicans on the conference committee have locked out the democrats and are meeeting behind closed doors - and are only releasing parts of the bill in a piecemeal fashion.

GOP's energy bill reflects industry, White House priorities

09/29/03

H. Josef Hebert
Associated Press


Washington- Congressional Republicans are cobbling together an energy blueprint substantially more favorable to industry than a Senate-passed bill hailed by Democrats as a victory this summer.

From drilling in an Alaska wildlife refuge to electric utilities' use of renewable fuels, pro- industry views are winning consistent support in negotiations on a final bill.

Democrats are complaining about being shut out from deci sion-making as the talks move toward an end - possibly by the end of this week - on the first overhaul of the United States' energy agenda in a decade.

-------snip

"Republicans . . . expect to ratify a final product that we have not yet seen," said Rep. John Dingell of Michigan.

The emerging plan reflects a greater tilt toward the energy industry, is more to the White House's liking and more represents the priorities of conservative House Republicans.

It is largely replacing the legislation passed by the Senate in July when GOP leaders, facing an impasse over their own bill, res urrected a measure approved in 2002 when Democrats were in the majority.

more : http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1064832942227140.xml

[Flying_Pig]

1. To this, I again ask the question: "Can we stop them?"

On your other thread (NYT article, link below) I pose some questions for you... I await your views...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=13761

[Bandit]

3. It will have to come back to the Senate for agreement.

I think it can be stopped in the Senate but may be mistaken. If the Senate had not already passed an Energy Bill I would say we could easily block them. However now it must go to conference and there I don't know what to expect. I think this may be their way to get around a filibuster.

[salin]

4. This is in conference committee now.

The repubs (house and senate) locked out the dems from the conference committee deliberations. They have rewritten parts and added things that were in NEITHER bill. Allegedly Energy Lobbyists are writing parts of the bill. It is a joke. Domenici's strategy seems to be - roll some porky perks for a couple of targeted senators - just enough to get the margin to a pass through the senate.

I think a filabuster is the only way to stop this thing.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. Did we expect anything else?

When he was first put into office, within 6 months, he had already come up with some of the worst enironmental proposals I have ever seen. From drilling in the Great Lakes, to opening national parks to logging and drilling, and to easing regulations on mining, clean air, and GM foods, he has been a fucking enironmental disaster and disgrace. Soem have been fought of (Great Lakes drilling), but too many are on their way to fruition.

I wish I believed in hell so I could imagine him and his cronies rotting there for an eternity. Grrrrr. :mad: