Draft of GOP Energy Bill Plans Rile Critics

[Lorien]

Posted on Wed, Sep. 24, 2003


Draft of GOP Energy Bill Plans Rile Critics
H. JOSEF HEBERT
Associated Press


WASHINGTON - Congressional Republicans developing an energy policy have agreed on a proposal that critics say would make it harder to require automakers to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Lawmakers also reaffirmed support for an inventory of oil and gas resources in coastal waters that now are off-limits to drilling.
The Republican proposal Wednesday would bar the Transportation Department from increasing the mile-per-gallon average of automakers' fleets - known as fuel economy - if doing so would cost industry jobs or affect vehicle safety.

(snip)

More: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/6851909.htm

Yeah, why should we become more fuel efficient when there's still so many countries to invade? :eyes: The greed of the few trumps the good of the many once again.

[Parche]

1. SUV's SUCK

They dont support higher gas mileage
that means that we have to deal with these disgusting SUV's
for a while longer

The republicans dont care about people

[Lorien]

2. The thing is

a new combustion engine with half the emissions and twice the mileage has been patented in Canada-the perfect thing for all those SUVs. But the company who owns the patent just put it in the closet (dispite an offer from Canadian government to buy them out for $10 million) because, in their words "oil is inexpensive, so it wouldn't generate much consumer interest". I don't think that the real reason at all, and neither does the inventor of the new engine, who is the colleague of a close friend.

[lfairban]

4. Please tell us more.

Did your friend put anything on the web?

[Lorien]

5. My friend is the inventors colleague

The inventor is a German citizen over here with a Green card.He can't make a fuss or else the green card gets taken away. I've asked my friend to get more information from him, so that we might send it on to Arianna Huffington, our candidates, progressive and environmental groups, etc.The inventor is just devestated right now and hasen't replied. He's been telling me about this engine for over three years now, and I was really excited about it; it had done brilliantly in tests using SUVs and light trucks; on average getting 50% greater fuel efficency (big three auto makers were involved in the testing). We'll try contact him again soon to see what specifics he can release without trouble from the corporation.

[goobergunch]

3. I'm calling for a filibuster against H.R. 6

I very much doubt that the conference report, whatever it may be, will be any good...and this article confirms this. It'll probably be a pro-gas guzzler, pro-drilling bill.

FILIBUSTER READINESS LEVEL 2

[UnapologeticLiberal]

6. I am very surprised the GOP leadership decided to put this in the bill

Because Kerry has threatened to filibuster it, and if he gets the opportunity to mount a good, old-fashioned filibuster, it will be a great way to generate media buzz and come off as a hero for the environment.

You Have the Power!

[Robbien]

8. They put the ANWR in the bill on purpose.

The GOP knows the Dems will protest, then as a compromise they will remove it so the bill will pass. Since there are many questionable items in the bill they are hoping all the attention will be on ANWR and all the other dirty energy parts will be overlooked.

[salin]

7. and pro-deregulation (to dangerous levels)

and pro nuke research with funky provisions that suggest more than energy as the goal, and pro - land taking (cedes government authority for taking land under eminent domain... to energy corporations)... and the list goes on and on and on. Not to mention the annual billions in tax breaks and credits to add even more red ink to the deficit. This bill - Cheney's Frankenstein - needs to be put out of its misery.

[dusty64]

12. Ain't that the truth.

I still can't believe this "plan" crafted in secret with corporate interests (Enron and God knows who else)has actually survived, even after crashcart has refused to reveal ANY information. This is a perfect example of what a farce Washington has become, its time to take back America.

[haymaker]

9. What, no drilling at Ground Zero?

These guys are really taking a step back and giving us enviro-nazis a break.

[jamesinca]

10. Ok, how can MPG effect vehicle safety?

"The Republican proposal Wednesday would bar the Transportation Department from increasing the mile-per-gallon average of automakers' fleets - known as fuel economy - if doing so would cost industry jobs or affect vehicle safety."


I am not making that connection. I can see airbags, seatbelts, anti-lock brakes, rearview mirrors affecting the safety. I can see driving habits like talking on the cell phone or drinking while driving affecting vehicle safety. As a parent I even understand about siblings in the back fighting having an influence on vehicle safety. How does MPG do this? IMHO it is another bullshit excuse to support the auto industry and in effect the oil industry. How can that be with Bush and his cronies having severed ties with such companies when they took office?

[radfringe]

11. my partner read an article yesterday

saying that OPEC is going to cut production... when the fuel prices soar again there might be some screaming from 'muricans - especially with winter on the way

[kwolf68]

13. Fascism in America

I am in a Europeon History Class at George Mason University (don't goat me about their right-wing Economics Dept) and it deals with Europe in the first half of the 20th century.

I feel like I am in a current events American class.

One thing that struck me from last night's lecture was how the Fascists in Italy would do the following (see if it rings a bell):

The fascists would get together with each other and their cronies and plot out public policy affecting the entire nation of Italy. The fascists would then take said policy to the Parliment and push for its passage.

The crafting of said legislation would ALWAYS be done in private among complicit interests.


---There is so much more that its almost scary.

Cheyney's Energy Task Force=American Fascism

[salin]

14. Wow. That is far too close for comfort

Did anyone besides you make the connection? If not - and it comes up again - did you (they) know that instead of working in an open conference committee to draft the compromise bill - the republicans alone met and locked out the dems (who represent just under half of the population); said they would reveal it 'piece meal' to give whole the committee a chance to work on it. Sounds very much like what you describe.