Posted on 08/02/2008 1:13:28 PM PDT by neverdem
In the Senate, it nowadays apparently takes a self-appointed, biparitsan "gang" of senators to get past the partisan gridlock. For instance, there was the Gang of 14 group of senators who helped the Senate get beyond an impasse on judicial appointments a few years ago.
Today, a new group of senators calling itself the Gang of Ten, announced that it had arrived at a compromise energy proposal meant to break the partisan logjam that exists on the issue.
The group's members are:
Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.).
Note that Graham, who is close to Sen. John McCain, the unofficial Republican presidential nominee, is a gangmember. He was also on the Gang of 14. He evidently likes joining these senatorial gangs.
The proposal contained in the Energy Reform Act of 2008 would essentially fund new technologies in order to reduce nation from its reliance on foreign oil. It would partly pay for the spending by reducing some of the oil industry's tax deductions.
The proposal sets as a goal having 85 percent of the nation's auto fleet fueled by something other than oil in 20 years. Reflecting its compromise nature, it also contains conservation and drilling ideas.
The senators, who had a press conference today, said they hoped their proposal could be the starting point for the entire Senate when lawmakers return in a few weeks from their summer recess. At this point, with congressional Democrats and Republicans at loggerheads on the energy issue, anything is probably worth a try.
Here's a lengthy excerpt from a Conrad press release with the proposals key provisions:
The New Era bill contains three main components: • An intensive effort to transition vehicles to non-petroleum based fuels; • a robust federal commitment to conservation and energy efficiency; and • targeted, responsible domestic production of energy resources.
Converting Cars and Trucks to Non-Oil Fuel Sources to Regain Energy Independence The New Era legislation funds a $20 billion "Apollo Project" like effort to support the goal of transitioning 85% of America's new motor vehicles to non- petroleum-based fuels within 20 years. To accelerate this transition, the legislation includes: • $7.5 billion for R&D focused on the major technological barriers to alternative fuel vehicles, such as advanced batteries; • $7.5 billion to help U.S. automakers and parts makers re-tool and re-equip to become the world leader in making alternative fuel vehicles; • Consumer tax credits of up to $7,500 per vehicle to incentivize Americans to purchase advanced alternative fuel vehicles (those that run primarily on non-petroleum fuels) and up to $2,500 to retrofit existing vehicles with advanced alternative fuel engines.
Enhancing Conservation To ease gas prices and protect our environment during the transition, the proposal includes a significant federal commitment to promoting conservation and efficiency. These include: • Extending renewable energy, carbon mitigation and energy conservation and efficiency tax incentives, including the production tax credit, through 2012 to create greater certainty and spur greater investment; --MORE-- New Energy Reform Act of 2008, Page 2
• New consumer tax credits of up to $2,500 to purchase highly fuel efficient vehicles, to help Americans reduce their annual gas costs and reduce oil imports; • Extending and expanding the $2,500 tax credit for hybrid electric vehicles; • $500 million for R&D into new materials and other innovations to improve vehicle fuel efficiency; • $2.5 billion in R,D&D on next generation biofuels and infrastructure; • Tax incentives for the installation of alternative fueling stations, pipelines and other infrastructure; • Expanding transmission capacity for power from renewable sources; • New dedicated funding for the weatherization assistance program.
Responsible, Targeted Domestic Energy Production To help meet our energy needs until our economy transitions to advanced alternative fuel vehicles, the New Era bill increases domestic energy production in environmentally responsible ways. The legislation: • Provides a CO2 sequestration credit for use in enhanced oil recovery to increase production from existing oil wells while reducing greenhouse gas emissions; • Opens additional acreage in the Gulf of Mexico for leasing (in consultation with the Defense Department to ensure that drilling is done in a manner consistent with national security) and allows Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia to opt in to leasing off their shores. Retains an environmental buffer zone extending 50 miles offshore where new oil production will not be allowed. Requires all new production to be used domestically. Creates a commission to make recommendations to Congress on future areas that should be considered for leasing. Provides for appropriate revenue sharing for states that allow leasing off their shores; • Provides grants and loan guarantees for the development of coal-to-liquid fuel plants with carbon capture capability. Plants must have lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions below those of the petroleum fuels they are replacing; • Supports nuclear energy by increasing staff at the NRC, providing workforce training, accelerating depreciation for nuclear plants, and supporting R&D on spent fuel recycling to reduce nuclear waste.
Speculation The Group decided to focus on increasing supply and reducing demand and will await the mid-September report of the CFTC to consider this subject.
Offsets The $84 billion in investments in conservation and efficiency in the New Era bill will be fully offset with loophole closers and other revenues. Approximately $30 billion will come from new revenues from the oil and gas industry through such measures as modifying the Section 199 manufacturing deduction for oil and natural gas production and other appropriate measures to ensure that the federal government receives its fair share of revenue from Gulf of Mexico leases. Remaining offsets will be finalized in consultation with the Finance Committee after accounting for interaction effects with other pending legislation.
If it's the economy, stupid, then it's the democrats fault. The democrats in Congress have done everything possible to make energy expensive, blocking all proven ways to expand the supply of energy. When you agree to their beloved alternative schemes, they pull the NIMBY trick. They are only doing this now because of polls showing overwhelming support for new oil drilling.
I don’t want any part of this gang of 10’s energy plan. We have a perfectly good one waiting to be voted on but Pelosi won’t let it come to a vote. That is the one I want. Release the oil we know we have in now, let us drill, uncap the old wells that Clinton forced the oil companies to cap. Start pumping and put us back in the independent column again.
DOA. Absolutely DOA.
This one’s a stinky mess. It must be decomposing already.
The senate is where otherwise good people think compromising in the face of intransigence is a good idea.
Essentially, these republicans have given up half the farm before it even starts. Now, they will have to split the difference between this and the Democrats “plan”, which means they’ll only allow off-shore drilling where there isn’t any oil.
Neither do I.
When I saw "CO2 sequestration," my brain went into "useful dupes" freeze.
Vote the bastards out, and try a new batch of idiots, until we get better ones.
The DEMS have it half a** backwards...
Sounds like this “Gang” is a plan to get Obama and the democrats off the hook.
The Gang’s plan: We’re going to make it illegal to complain or even talk about high energy prices.
Any questions?
They could offer each proposal as a separate Bill.
This is like getting some hash-slinger at Denny's to try and cook a proper Roast Rack of Lamb with Black Truffle Sauce, without Gordon Ramsey tearing the effort to shreds.
Gordon Ramsey is finally mentioned on FR.
Some compromise. Why don’t we simply say we’re going to drill for our own oil? Our previous practice has been to curtail drilling. A compromise would be to accept drilling for awhile.
It is my opinion that everyone one in the three branches of government in the last 40 years should be brought up on treason for not doing something to get us off foreign oil it is a national security and economical security problem.
Hang one of them by their nads on a flag pole and the rest will come into line.
“Retains an environmental buffer zone extending 50 miles offshore where new oil production will not be allowed.”
~~~
This takes the Destin Dome and other areas off the list
to drill,,,Think NIMBY!!!
~~~
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkxbRw5RI1vIAa6VXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1djU5aTlyBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNQRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA01BUDAwM18xMDc-/SIG=12r4tp2p2/EXP=1217795409/**http%3a//www.thedestinlog.com/news/oil_5143___article.html/gulf_hits.html
“The black golden opportunity for drilling companies appears to be in the Destin Dome, located about 30 miles south of Pensacola. Dozens of exploratory wells drilled in the ’70s and ’80s revealed giant deposits of natural gas and many sources of light, low-grade crude oil.
The city waded into the gulf drilling debate directly in 1996. City councilors voted in a 6-1 vote to protest plans to award the lease.”
~~~Just a FWIW,,,much cheaper/quicker to drill~~~
http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/whatsnew/newsreal/2002/020529hq.html
“Interior Reaches Agreement to Acquire Mineral Rights in Everglades,
Settles Litigation on Offshore Oil and Gas Leases in Destin Dome
The Interior Department has agreed in principle to acquire the mineral rights under Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge from Collier Resources Company, virtually ensuring no new oil and gas development in the three areas, Interior Secretary Gale Norton announced today.
At the same time, Norton announced the Department has agreed in principle to settle litigation with oil companies that own interests in the Destin Dome Unit, a large natural gas discovery in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico offshore Florida. The companies — Chevron, Conoco and Murphy Oil — will relinquish seven of nine leases in the unit that were the subject of the litigation in exchange for $115 million. The remaining two leases, to be held by Murphy, will be suspended until at least 2012 under the terms of the settlement.”
“The 765,000 acres are adjacent to state and federally managed conservation areas, including the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve and Everglades National Park, and are home to several endangered and threatened species, including the Florida panther, American crocodile, red-cockaded woodpecker, and manatees. Several components of CERP will be undertaken in the vicinity.”
~~~
Add the coast of Kaliforniastan and the NIMBY east coast of
the US,,,
All Federal Land Should Be Drilled!!! NOW!!!
Any State That Don’t Like It Can Just STFU!!!
would open new areas in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Atlantic to oil and gas drilling, while raising taxes on the major oil companies.First, they open up areas for drilling - that would lower prices, then they tax oil companies - that would raise prices again.
For the consumer it's a wash, for government it's increased revenue.
See? Not too complicated.
I am as tired of the “gangs’ in washington as I am the gangs that are ruining my neighborhood, with their terror..
All we need to do is allow drilling. The market will take care of all that other stuff in due time.
“Gangs” is a racist term.
Try thinking of them as “freedom fighters”.
(/sarcasm)
Not that it will happen any time before the tree of liberty is watered again.
Keep Up the Pressure We have expensive energy because of the Democrats and RINOs. No compromise!!!
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00009975&cycle=2008
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