Via David Roberts, we get some insight into what the Bush administration wants from the energy bill. Long story short: give us the sort of pork-filled, toothless energy bill the Republicans gave us in 2005, or we're vetoing, because we can. Our demands: you pledge more money for wasteful biofuel projects, soften up on your CAFE demands, let the oil industry keep enjoying massive tax breaks, and don't set any concrete goals for increasing the amount of renewable energy sources in our portfolio.
In a letter to Nancy Pelosi last week, Bush's assistant for economic policy Allan B. Hubbard concludes:
Statements of Administration Policy describe additional concerns with the energy legislation. The Administration would like to work with Congress to resolve these concerns. Two years ago, the President signed into law energy legislation that was crafted in a bipartisan manner. We hope for the opportunity to work with you in a similar fashion to move America toward a stronger, cleaner energy future.
But no, really, he's just writing to "reiterate the administration's commitment to work with Congress." Congress is still trying to hash out the differences between the House and Senate bills, and my guess is they'll come out with a strong bill that moves us in the right direction (despite the fact that some are growing increasingly cynical that they'll do that this term), and the Bush administration will just come off looking like the petulant partisans they are when they veto it. And we'll just have to wait until something changes in 2008 to allow Congress to actually accomplish something.
--Kate Sheppard
