Environment

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Energy Drain: Legislators Trying to Pass the Energy Bill

The Bush administration is putting pressure on lawmakers to pass the energy bill, which is being debated at the end of the July-August 1, 2003session in the Senate. Normally, Senators take a recess for the month of August, but Bush and Senate Republican leaders are threatening to make all Senators stay and work if they can’t finish the energy bill.

We may scoff at the thought of our Senators being held after class for their inability to compromise, but do we want a rushed energy bill that lawmakers throw together because they desperately want a vacation?

The Senate’s energy bill, a.k.a. S 14 (S stands for Senate, House bills are labeled HR + number), has between 70-100 proposed amendments, and each one may require its own debate. Some of these amendments are likely to be dropped, but it is nevertheless improbable that the Senate will be able to pass the bill this week.

Why the energy bill seems irreconcilable:

The bill is large and complex; it addresses everything from the fuel efficiency of our cars to the accounting practices of our electric companies. Most of the amendments are coming from Democrats, many of whom fear that the bill does little to protect the environment from pollution or defend energy consumers from another Enron scandal. Eveen if an amendment is voted down, the recorded vote will give the minority party, the Democrats, an issue to tell to the voters in 2004.

Gallons of amendments

Senator Richard Durbin (D- IL) has proposed an amendment that would force automakers to create cars and trucks that average 40 miles to the gallon, as opposed to today’s average of 25 miles per gallon. Under Durbin’s amendment, new cars and trucks that get 26 miles per gallon or worse would carry a polluter’s tax of up to $7,700. This tax and the regulations on automakers would not begin until 2014, so car companies and consumers would have some time to adjust.

Durbin’s amendment is not likely to pass. Many Republicans feel that it would be devastating to the automobile industry and that Durbin’s amendment picks an “arbitrary number" of miles per gallon.

Senator Carl Levin’s (D- MI) amendment is similar but has bipartisan support. Why? Because Levin proposes that the auto industry and federal regulators work together to increase fuel efficiency. While many hail the idea of a partnership between government and the auto-makers, others are suspicious of the notion that car-makers will voluntarily work to make autos as fuel efficient as possible.

The price of wind

Another amendment that is likely to pass is Senator Jeff Bingaman’s (D-NM). The Bingaman proposal requires electricity companies to generate 10% of power from renewable energy sources (like solar and wind) by 2020. Those who oppose this amendment say it is much too expensive, though there are varying projections of how much the project would cost. Bingaman says $4.9 billion, while Bingaman’s fellow New Mexico representative, Pete Domenici (R), says at least $39 billion.

Energy Consumers

Senator Maria Cantwell tried in vain to protect consumers from unethical practices by energy marketers. She proposed rate rebates for customers in the event of market manipulation, like last year’s Enron scandal. Her amendment was rejected 50-48, along party lines. One more reminder of how important party lines are. Majorities win – again and again – when party discipline is working.

Republicans claim that the energy bill already protects consumers from "the Enron loophole," but Democrats say the bill does not do enough; the fear that consumers will suffer because the bill repeals restrictions on mergers between large electric utility holding companies. Such mergers are likely to result in higher prices for consumers.

Drilling in Alaska

Unlike the House of Representatives’ bill, The Senate bill does not allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. However, it does strengthen the oil industry’s infrastructure by building new pipelines and speeding up the permit process for drilling.

Conservationists are concerned about the impact that this will have on protected public lands and coastal areas.

Lots to do

Lawmakers have a lot to work out if they hope to pass an energy bill by Friday, August 1, 2003. Perhaps it is better that they take their time and get it right, but a true compromise could take a long, long time.

To discuss this issue with other WomenMatter readers, [click here]. To contact your Senator to advise her or him on a compromise, [click here].

Posted on: 8/4/2003

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