Great article from Charlie Cray in the Huffington Post:”It felt like I’d just walked onto the set of the sequel to Jurassic Park. There was an industry dinosaur who I’d thought was gone for good.” He continues: “But no. Former ExxonMobil CEO Lee Raymond, and his colleagues at the National Petroleum Council, an industry committee … Read More
energy policy
Pelosi Pushes Energy Bill
In a move that is said to have surprised even some environmentalists, the US House of Representatives has put forward a $21 billion energy package, including repealing tax breaks given to oil companies in 2005. The bill will cause problems in the Senate, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressed ahead with the entire package, taxes … Read More
When Fuel and Politics Mix
Interesting article in today’s New York Times about the differing Democratic and Republican long-term approaches to energy policy. “Over the next decade or two, the differences could have a major effect on billions of dollars in government spending, on the relative prices of gasoline versus renewable fuels and on the efficiency of American cars and … Read More
America: No Breakthrough on Energy Bill
The Majority Leader of the American House of Representatives Steny Hoyer has admitted Congress had not reached a breakthrough on a compromise energy package but still hoped to bring the legislation back into consideration next month. The Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had been hoping that energy legislation could be approved before the two-week American … Read More
Twelve Dollars a Year
In the late winter of 2006, the citizens of Burlington, Vermont prepared to elect one of five candidates to a three-year term for an open mayor’s seat. At one forum, a citizen stood up and asked, “Within the next mayoral term, it’s likely the price of oil will hit $90 a barrel and gas will … Read More
Democrats In $7 Billion Plan to Green US
The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives wants to spend almost $7bn in the coming year to reduce the nation’s enormous carbon footprint, reports the Independent. This has put it on a collision course with the White House, which still remains in denial about climate change. A major clash is expected between the White House and Congress … Read More
Oily influences on US energy legislation
A study done by the Center for American Progress (CAP) shows a strong correlation between Big Oil political contributions and votes on energy legislation which eliminates $16 billion in oil company tax breaks and royalty relief. The 221 House members who voted for the House energy bill received around $5.8 million in total from the … Read More
Exxon Chief Criticises US Energy Bill
No surprises here really. Anything that remotely threatens the interests of Exxon will be opposed. The oil dinosaur has done it so spectacularly on climate, and now it is coming out fighting against the new US energy bill. The proposed reform of US energy policy passing through Congress “almost defies any sense of logical or … Read More
Senate Passes Energy Bill
The US Senate passed a broad energy bill late yesterday that will require the first big increase in fuel mileage requirements for passenger cars in American in more than two decades. The vote, 65 to 27, was a major defeat for car manufacturers, which had fought for a much smaller increase in fuel economy standards … Read More
Democrats Talk About Reversing Energy Taxes
Democrats in the US Senate say they are seeking a major reversal of energy tax policies that would take billions of dollars in tax breaks and other benefits from the oil industry to underwrite renewable fuels. The tax increases would reverse incentives passed as recently as three years ago to increase domestic exploration and production … Read More