Pipeline dispute stalls U.S. energy bill

[salin]

Pipeline dispute stalls U.S. energy bill

Peter Morton, Washington Bureau Chief
Financial Post

Friday, October 03, 2003

WASHINGTON - A dispute between the White House and a key Republican Congressman over funding the US$20-billion Alaska natural gas pipeline has stalled the controversial energy bill in Congress.

The Republican administration of George W. Bush, the President, is butting heads with Rep. Ted Stevens from Alaska, who is insisting financial incentives including a floor price for Alaska gas be part of the sweeping energy bill now being debated.

The deadlock has delayed a vote today on language of the bill that would also overhaul the country's creaking electricity system, demand an increase use of corn-based ethanol in gasoline and offer up to US$20-billion in tax incentives to the U.S. nuclear and coal industries to develop new technologies.

"If this bill is delayed until next year, an election year, it will be almost impossible to pass," said Charli Coon, a senior energy analyst at the Washington-based Heritage Foundation.

more: http://www.nationalpost.com/financialpost/story.html?id=E59CF229-0CBE-4D20-9F23-EFED3B3D1E21



Imagine - a republican, could stall this - because of Anwr. Not because Anwr is in the bill (the reasons some dems vigorously object), but because the Tauzin and Domenici just HAD to put Anwr back into the bill - and the squabble is on related details. I find that ironic.

[Noordam]

1. The gas pipeline is BS and pork for Alaska.

60 minutes had a piece on this a could weeks ago. There is a group that want to have the pipeline go from the top of Alaska over and down to meet a Canadian pipeline line.

A - would not require US taxpapers $$$$
B - would not require Gas price floor.



but Alaska politicos are against a cheaper way.