Bush energy plan ignores immediate needs, Democrats say

From Kate Snow
CNN Congressional Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush's anticipated energy policies ignore immediate needs to focus on "tomorrow," congressional Democrats said Monday.

The administration is expected to release its blueprint for U.S. energy policy on Thursday with an emphasis on boosting long-term supply.

	MESSAGE BOARD
Energy crunch

But sensing the opportunity to make political points with constituents, Democrats are focusing on current prices at the gas pump and electricity shortages in California.

"The Bush administration has said there's nothing they can do in the short term but we know that's not so," said Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois. "The president could immediately call on his pals in the oil and gas industry, or if that doesn't work, he could send measures to Congress to get relief now. Why isn't he calling on all his friends?"

House Democrats plan to outline what they call a "balanced national energy plan" Tuesday afternoon at a Capitol Hill Exxon station. In general, aides said the Democratic energy proposal will emphasize conservation and reducing demand for energy, putting less emphasis on increasing energy supplies.

The Democratic proposal is expected to contain plans to reduce electricity prices in California similar to a proposal defeated in the House Energy Subcommittee last week. That measure would have capped wholesale prices in the West for 18 months, according to a Democratic aide.

"The Western states, and California in particular , are not asking for a penny of federal help," said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-California. "All we're asking is to untie us. We need temporary regulation of the wholesale price of electricity. Either let the state do it or, better yet, the federal government should do its job."

Added Washington state Rep. Adam Smith, "Rather than just saying 'good luck,' something has to happen. I don't like price controls, but this market is severely busted."

Democrats will also encourage the administration to talk with OPEC in hopes the oil producers' cartel would boost production; and provide more oversight to ensure that gasoline companies are not gouging consumers, according to an aide familiar with the plan.

Lowering the gasoline tax has been discussed as an option on Capitol Hill, but the Democratic plan will not suggest a reduction, according to that same aide.

Sherman said attracting support from Western state Republicans will be crucial to the Democratic plan's success.

"If they put their state above the party, they will line up and demand these temporary price reductions at the wholesale level," Sherman said.

White House rejects call for energy price controls
May 13, 2001

See related sites about Politics

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.