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10/30/2007 12:00 AM
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Congressional Energy Bill Run Aground?
SustainableBusiness.com News
Bi-partisan goodwill for proposed energy legislation seems to be drying up quicker than Georgia groundwater.
Texas's two Republican senators have blocked energy legislation, which would increase alternative-fuel production and vehicular fuel-efficiency standards, and mandate that 15 percent of utilities' power come from renewable sources of energy.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) placed a procedural hold on the bill, saying it would hurt oil, gas and agricultural sectors. She and John Cornyn (R-TX) are against repealing tax incentives for oil companies and believe the bill, which calls for the doubling of ethanol production, favors Midwestern farmers at the expense of energy and livestock interests in their home state.
They are joined by three other Republican senators - Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Larry Craig of Idaho and Jim DeMint of South Carolina - in opposing the bill.
Although Democrats could continue to work the bill behind closed doors and present it to lawmakers at a later time, chances of passing an energy bill before the end of the year seem to be shrinking.
Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) told reporters Friday the Lieberman-Warner bill, which calls for green-house gas emissions to be cut 15% by 2020, exceeds the abilities of current technology.
He said the bipartisan Senate bill will struggle to get the 60 votes needed to overcome parliamentary roadblocks unless it addresses industry concerns.
Also joining the opposition was Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), who says he will block a bipartisan Senate bill limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Inhofe said any such bill would drive energy prices up and hurt the economy. He also has said that global warming is a hoax, exaggerated by liberals.
