OT: Blast From The Past
Question:
Bush Signs Energy Bill, Measure Includes Billions in Tax Breaks for Industry By Jim VandeHei and Justin Blum (Washington Post) Tuesday, August 9, 2005 ALBUQUERQUE, Aug. 8 — President Bush signed the first national energy legislation in more than a decade on Monday, hailing the measure as a smart way to make Americans more secure and less dependent on foreign oil. The new 1,724-page energy law, four years in the making, will provide $14.5 billion in tax breaks. The recipients will include producers of oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear power, as well as smaller incentives for consumers who use cleaner-burning fuels produced in this country. Analysts say it is unlikely most Americans will see a noticeable improvement in their energy costs in the short term. The bill exempts oil and gas industries from some clean-water laws, streamlines permits for oil wells and power lines on public lands, and helps the hydropower industry appeal environmental restrictions.
Response:
Filibuster in the Senate! by humphrey Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 09:42:56 AM PDT Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) is currently filibustering the emergency spending bill in the Senate. He is offering an ammendment that would eliminate royalty relief for oil companies when the price of oil is above $50 a barrel. He simply wants a vote on his ammendment. This vote would eliminate subsidies to the oil companies costing billions of dollars. Obviously the Republicans do not want this ammendment to come to a vote as it would hurt big oil. It would put the Senators in a difficult position. Oil companies are cheating Americans out of billions
