Source:
Associated PressPelosi Looks for Unity on Energy BillMonday July 30, 2007 11:31 PM
By H. JOSEF HEBERT
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to solidify
Democratic support Monday behind her energy package and head
off a rebellion among some oil-patch Democrats who argue the
legislation would hurt U.S. energy production.
Pelosi was said to have agreed to make some changes to satisfy
some of the disgruntled Democrats, who were particularly
concerned about measures that would tighten the permit process
for oil and gas on federal land. The provisions would reverse
action by Congress two years ago that sought to streamline the
permit process.
-snip-The oil and gas industry is lobbying hard against any tampering
with the permit issue and opposes tax changes that the industry
says would cost oil companies $15 billion over 10 years. Pelosi
wants to shift the money to tax incentives for renewable energy
sources and energy conservation measures.
-snip-A coalition of 47 moderate to conservative Democrats, known as
the “Blue Dogs,” had threatened to withhold support unless
some of the oil and gas provisions, including the permit issue,
were changed.
-snip-Read more:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6816290,00.html