03-09-2002
ENERGY: Senate Energy Debate Partisan From Start
The Senate finally began a full-blown debate on energy legislation this
week amid deep partisan divisions about how to form a national energy
policy. Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle, D-S.D., unveiled the Democrats'
500-page bill on March 5 and praised it as an ideal balance between energy
production and conservation. But Republicans didn't mince words in
deriding the Democrats' bill, which Minority Whip Don Nickles, R-Okla.,
called "a pathetic excuse for an energy policy." The Democrats'
package seeks to lower U.S. reliance on foreign-energy sources by reducing
energy demand through increased efficiency and reliance on renewable
energy sources. It would increase mileage standards for autos to 35 miles
per gallon over the next decade. The approach favored by most Republicans
focuses on increasing the supply of energy by boosting domestic
production. It would permit oil and gas drilling on a strip of Alaska's
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. While mileage standards and Alaska
drilling are the most-controversial issues, Senators are also expected to
clash over nuclear fuel, electric restructuring, renewable fuel mandates,
and even energy-efficiency standards for household air
conditioners.
Brody Mullins/CongressDaily
National Journal
