Katrina prompts new energy proposals -- some green, most not

Katrina prompts new energy proposals -- some green, most not | Grist Magazine | Muckraker :

"Déjà Ew

Plenty of other energy-related proposals look to have better prospects, but they're largely of the 'pillage and plunder' variety, according to Becker. 'We're basically seeing all the bad stuff industry advocates couldn't squeeze onto the energy bill reemerge in these post-Katrina proposals,' he said.

Katrina exposed the extreme vulnerability of U.S. oil infrastructure, but instead of pushing for a more diversified energy system that would make good use of renewables and enhance long-term energy security, many Republicans want to perpetuate the fossil fuel-based status quo.

On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) announced that he and Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, have a whole new energy bill in mind -- 'We are working on one as we speak,' he said at a press conference -- that would not only open up protected areas, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to oil and gas drilling, but also fast-track the environmental review process required to obtain permits for building new oil refineries.
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