House Panel Revives U.S. Energy Bill

[cthrumatrix]

House Panel Revives U.S. Energy Bill

April 06, 2005 — By Chris Baltimore, Reuters
WASHINGTON — A House committee Tuesday dusted off an energy bill that backers say will boost U.S. oil and natural gas production but critics deride as a bonanza for oil companies with no immediate relief for consumer pocketbooks.

Republican lawmakers hope red-hot U.S. crude oil prices and record-high U.S. gasoline prices will give momentum to a broad energy bill packed with incentives to increase domestic supplies of oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear and renewable energy.

Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, chairman of the House Energy Committee, said he wants to finish panel talks by next week on a bill that would boost domestic oil and natural gas and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign suppliers. The committee was scheduled to meet again Wednesday for bill-writing.

Democrats criticized Barton's draft version as a give-away for oil companies that offers no short-term help for Americans facing U.S. crude oil prices near $60 per barrel and retail gasoline prices above $2 a gallon.

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http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=7481

What will it take for the House/Congress to get SERIOUS.

We could start today with fuel efficiency requirements...and manadatory conservation plans.

[Roland99]

1. "What will it take for the House/Congress to get SERIOUS. "??

A catastrophic event.

[shoelace414]

3. "What will it take for the House/Congress to get SERIOUS. "??

new house/senate leadership.

[Skidmore]

2. Okay, Dems, now is the time to

put the screws to them. They want support for what? Those oilmen don't need to get a free ride unless the Rs are willing to cough up some concessions. Time to stand for something.

[TheFarseer]

4. call your senator is about all I can think of

call them and tell them to get serious about a true energy policy. Drilling in the ANWR or anywhere else isn't addressing the real problem.

[Inland]

5. What, don't sky high prices boost production?

Now we have to create a market subsidy for oil companies? I guess free markets are good enough for the little guy, but if you are Oil or Halliburton, free markets are bad and you need some welfare.

They aren't even pretending any more. Prices down, subsidize oil. Prices up, subsidize oil. Take taxpayer money and guard overseas oil.