Domenici Energy Reforms Shelved; Senate OKs Bingaman Bill

The Albuquerque Journal (subscription required) ^ | August 1, 2003 | Michael Coleman

[CedarDave]

Friday, August 1, 2003

Domenici Energy Reforms Shelved; Senate OKs Bingaman Bill

By Michael Coleman Journal Washington Bureau

    WASHINGTON— The Senate on Thursday abruptly shelved a major energy policy reform bill drafted by Sen. Pete Domenici, then resurrected and passed an older energy bill written by New Mexico's other senator, Democrat Jeff Bingaman.
    The highly unusual maneuver— suggested by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle during a morning floor debate— was viewed as the only way the Senate could approve an energy bill before the monthlong congressional recess, which begins next week.
    Domenici, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, had hoped to pass his version of an energy bill this week. But a slew of proposed amendments and an expiring clock made it all but impossible for that to happen.
    At separate news conferences to announce the deal, Democrats and Republicans both claimed victory in the deal. Domenici, grinning broadly, said he would chair the panel that irons out differences between the House and Senate energy bills, and would ensure the final version reflects his wishes.
    "We're going to conference, and the reason I'm happy is because I'll be rewriting that bill," Domenici told reporters.
    He added that a final energy bill sent to the president will have "a lot more (energy) production, a lot more research and a lot more nuclear (power incentives)" than the Bingaman version.
    Bingaman, who chaired the Senate energy committee before Republicans regained control of the Senate last fall, said he was pleased to see his energy bill back in play.
    "I'm surprised," Bingaman said, adding that he was also happy about the turn of events. "When I came to work this morning, I thought we would continue to slog through amendments to this bill we had been working on, instead of passing the bill from last year."
    The Senate first approved Bingaman's bill on an 88-11 vote in April 2002, but House and Senate negotiators could never agree to a compromise and the legislation died before it became law.
    There are many similarities between the two bills, but also key differences. Bingaman's legislation, unlike Domenici's, does not contain federal loan guarantees for the construction of new nuclear power plants. It also does not remove federal trust responsibilities from energy projects on Indian land.
    The bill also would require public utilities to generate at least 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, by 2010.
    Domenici's bill would have sped up the permitting process for oil and gas exploration on federal land and provided for deep offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
    Domenici's bill also would have helped finance the construction of a major oil pipeline from Alaska to the lower 48 states.
    The New Mexico Republican conceded it was "not how I envisioned getting an energy bill."
    "But if it gets us closer to our goal, I consider it a win," Domenici said.

Copyright 2003 Albuquerque Journal

[CedarDave]

For your PING lists.

[dirtboy]

Yep, the GOP majority comes through again...

This bill is a load of junk, especially the expansion of ethanol subsidies. And in turn, there is no provision for drilling in ANWAR. I'd rather have no bill than this bill, but apparently the GOP doesn't care to use its majority clout.

[BOBTHENAILER]

"We're going to conference, and the reason I'm happy is because I'll be rewriting that bill," Domenici told reporters.

He added that a final energy bill sent to the president will have "a lot more (energy) production, a lot more research and a lot more nuclear (power incentives)" than the Bingaman version.

Although I detest Bingaman's version as much as most consrvative O&G types do, IMHO they let this one fly knowing they could get what they want in conference.

I'm still waiting for a full court press on ANWR....maybe they're saving that for the 04 election cycle after a hard winter keeps prices high. They know they can't get it now.