US House leader says schedule for passing energy bill may slip

Washington (Platts)--24Apr2007

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's goal of getting an energy bill through
the chamber by July 4 may be slipping because of the need to finish spending
bills first, US House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Tuesday.

Earlier this year, House Democratic leaders acknowledged that they
would not pass a climate-change bill by US Independence Day as the California
Democrat House Speaker had hoped and it now seems the energy package also
will be delayed. Pelosi has indicated she wants energy legislation on the
floor at the end of June.

The House will begin introducing fiscal 2008 spending bills in mid-May,
even if the House and Senate disagree on a budget, the Maryland Democrat said,
adding that he hopes the lower chamber will pass all spending bills by the end
of June.

Hoyer said he is worried about escalating gasoline prices, particularly
in his district, where some people commute up to two hours.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is drafting bills to advance
coal-to-liquids and carbon sequestration technology and projects and also will
address energy efficiency and alternative fuels in upcoming legislation, he
said.

Hoyer also mentioned a bill (H.R. 1252) introduced by Representative Bart
Stupak, a Democrat from Michigan, that would attempt to prevent price gouging
for natural gas, gasoline and other petroleum-derived products as one that
could see floor action this summer.

--Dan Whitten, dan_whitten@platts.com