Lawmakers aim for compromise concerning energy bill provision
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas --Sep. 17--WASHINGTON
Sep. 17--WASHINGTON -- Stalled in the Senate for nearly a year, a comprehensive energy bill is getting a last-minute push by lawmakers who are trying to reach a compromise on its most controversial provision.
Negotiations on a deal that could compensate claimants who sued the
manufacturers with federal funds have the crucial support of House Majority
Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, who has been the prime player on the MTBE
provision.
"There are new ways and creative ways of addressing some of the problems
those members have over there that I understand Ted Stevens is working on,"
DeLay said this week.
DeLay has backed off from resisting changes in the House-passed version of
the bill and believes Congress will finish the comprehensive energy package
before it leaves for the November elections.
"I'm really optimistic," he said. "As we get closer and closer
to the deadline of adjournment, people start focusing on issues." The House
and Senate are due to recess by Oct. 8.
DeLay, who championed the MTBE provision in the House-passed bill, declined
pleas from senators and President Bush last year to withdraw support for it when
it reached the Senate and opponents launched a filibuster. Another version of
the bill without the MTBE provision has languished in the Senate because of
DeLay's steadfast opposition.
A deal on MTBE that would satisfy DeLay and the New England lawmakers whose
states have sued MTBE manufacturers is still in the works. Stevens, along with
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Pete Domenici, R-N.M.,
and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., are working on a mechanism that
would pay the claims from federal coffers, such as the $2.6 billion trust fund
used to clean up leaking underground storage tanks.
"There is a great deal of work being done behind the scenes right now on
MTBE," said Alex Flint, staff director for the Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee. "Now is not the time for those efforts to be in the
press, but I am optimistic we will reach an agreement."
"Domenici, Stevens, the White House and the Justice Department are all
trying to work on a solution that would be acceptable to the House and
Senate," said Marnie Funk, the Senate energy committee spokesperson.
"One of the solutions is creating a fund that may pay environmentally
challenged areas and one of those being considered is the LUST fund," Funk
said.
A spokeswoman for Frist said the issue is being discussed.
"Senator Frist is committed to moving the energy bill, and we're going
to look at all the options," said Amy Call, Frist's press secretary.
The massive $30.1 billion bill provides tax breaks and incentives to oil,
gas, coal and nuclear industries and tax credits to promote renewable energy
sources and conservation efforts.
It lost support in the Senate last November when Northeastern lawmakers,
including both New Hampshire senators, opposed the liability waiver. More than
100 lawsuits have been filed by states, cities, water districts and businesses
that claim MTBE contamination. Cleanup estimates range from $500 million,
according to industry officials, to $29 billion, according to the National
Conference of Mayors.
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