Groups that Defeated Congressional Energy Bill Gear Up to Fight Any New Attempt to Pass the Measure

Interview with Winona Hauter, director of Public Citizen's Energy and Environmental Program, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

In the final days before members of Congress left Washington for the holiday recess, the Senate blocked an omnibus energy bill that was packed with billion in corporate tax breaks over ten years. The vast majority of the money was targeted to energy industries encouraging development of coal, gas and oil resources. One component of the bill would have abolished the Public Utility Holding Company Act and mandated a further reduction of government oversight of the electricity sector.

An impressive coalition of grassroots groups -- from anglers, hunters and public health advocates to communities of faith and environmental organizations -- helped stiffen the Senate's spine to oppose the bill. The legislation finally died, according to opponents, because of the flood of industry-friendly provisions. The Republican effort to pass the bill was doomed when House Majority Leader Tom DeLay refused to remove a provision protecting the makers of MTBE from costly lawsuits. MTBE is a toxic fuel additive proven to have contaminated the water supply in many parts of the country.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Wenonah Hauter, director of Public Citizen's Energy and Environment Program. She explains how an earlier energy bill set the stage for the recent debate and what grassroots groups need to do to prevent the GOP-controlled Congress from passing what many view as a similarly harmful energy bill in the near future.

For more information, call Public Citizen at (202) 588-1000 or visit the Energy and Environment Program's web page at www.publiccitizen.org/cmep

Related links

"Victory for Now; Energy Bill Fight Could Resume in January," Public Citizen's Critical Mass and Energy Program, Nov. 21, 2003

"Filibuster Blocks Billion Energy Bill in Senate,> by Carl Hulse, The New York Times, Nov. 21, 2003

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