White House, Oil and AgriBusiness Big Winners in Pending Energy Bill

Earth Trashed.jpg

As soon as the Senate passed the energy bill back to the House by a vote of 86-8, the White House was quick to show its eagerness to sign the bill. A bad sign.

By addressing the concerns of the Administration and moving forward with a bipartisan approach, senators have taken steps to improve our economic and energy security. If this legislation makes it to the President's desk, he will sign it into law.

That vote of 86-8 looks like a vote that demonstrates a "bipartisan approach." It's not. It carries the odor of fatty pork and demonstrates the uncanny ability of the Senate to strip the House bill of meaningful provisions and reduce it to the lowest common denominator: re-election.

It may seem like the 35 mpg fuel economy standard is a landmark feature of the bill. Actually, it's not needed. The states, through Mass v EPA and assorted other court rulings, were about to deliver the same result. It is a virtual certainty that in 2009, under a new administration armed with EPA's authority, we'd see a fuel economy standard as good if not better. So the federal provision is not really needed, and in fact, it might even protect industry from more stringent regulation. Every democratic candidate has called for a standard higher than 35mpg.

No surprise Detroit is going along, and the White House is eager to sign, especially when you consider that the bill also:

  • maintains huge subsidies for the oil industry
  • cuts off support for renewable energy
  • and authorizes massive subsidies for biofuels

 

That last provision is a doozy. Read this post on Grist and you'll see why. It's called "To those who are balse about expanding RFS: Once in place, the RFS will be well nigh impossible to eliminate."

Dare we suggest the bill die an early death and never reach the President's desk? The earth has no need for this bill.


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