Maureen Lorenzetti
OGJ Online
WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 22 -- The US Senate and House of Representatives this week will tackle energy issues following a brief hiatus spurred by bioterrorism concerns that shut down most of Capitol Hill last week.
Lawmakers have fallen even further behind schedule due to security concerns.
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hear Thursday from Oklahoma Energy Sec. Michael Smith, the White House's candidate to be the Department of Energy's assistant secretary for fossil energy.
Also scheduled for Thursday is a Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing which will take a second look at tighter air emission standards for utilities and oil refineries; and a Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on home heating financial assistance for low income families.
In the House on Wednesday, a Committee on Energy and Commerce subcommittee will reexamine groundwater contamination issues associated with the fuel oxygenate methyl tertiary butyl ether.
This week congressional leaders may bring legislation to the floor including an economic stimulus package that may provide some tax relief for marginal producers; an infrastructure proposal that may contain provisions to add oil to the 544 million bbl Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and the fiscal 2002 budget that is already 3 weeks late. There is also a possibility a separate energy bill may pass, although most lobbyists expect only bipartisan portions of pending House and Senate energy bills to be seriously considered.
Last week Congress curtailed its legislative calendar because of bioterrorism concerns following the discovery of anthrax in Senate and House office buildings. Several hearings were postponed, and debate over the pending budget suspended.
Congress is expected to adjourn no earlier than mid-November. It may remain in session longer if lawmakers are needed in light of unfolding international events.
Controversial proposals like leasing a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are facing an uphill battle because of the increasingly crowded legislative calendar. However, a sudden supply shortage in the Middle East may push the issue forward.
The Republican-led House passed a comprehensive energy bill in August that includes ANWR leasing, royalty reform, and large new tax incentives for marginal producers.
Democratic leaders are redrafting energy legislation first offered by Energy Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). That bill will not include ANWR. It however is expected to retain large portions of Bingaman's original bill.
These include a strong emphasis on fuel conservation, production tax incentives tied to the price of oil, and language to encourage a new Alaskan gas pipeline.