Pete Could Be Leader Of Real Energy Reform
Dec 07 - The Santa Fe New Mexican
A month ago, New Mexico's Sen. Pete Domenici thought he could see daylight in his quest for a new federal energy policy. But then the hole closed on him -- clogged by masses of porkfat shoveled into it by none other than his fellow Republicans.
The bill that came out of House-Senate conference and went back to the Senate suited even some Democratic senators -- but it was so gross, in terms of tax-money waste and environmental laissez-faire that it embarrassed a few Republican moderates. Their willingness to join in a filibuster with the Dems doomed the measure -- at least for this session of the 108th Congress.
When next our senators and representatives consider such a bill, Domenici still figures to be chairman of the energy committee -- but a sadder, wiser man will be wielding the gavel.
Among the lessons we hope he learned is that his goal should be higher than merely reducing America's dependence on Mideast oil. We should be weaning ourselves from petroleum and other hydrocarbons entirely. duh Until we do, there's plenty of the stuff in the United States, Russia, Latin America and other places where our country can spread its demand.
But oil's a finite resource, and we've got the technological capability to declare a measure of independence from it -- through conservation and through alternative sources of energy.
Sen. Domenici's energy bill contained elements of both: There was a 100 percent tax deduction for upgrading commercial buildings with certain energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. There was also money to help advance President Bush's hydrogen-car initiative.
But these were minor items in the something-for-everyone pile. The major ones, such as ethanol subsidies, liability waivers for fuel-storage tanks leaking MTBE and the unleashing of utility monopolies, were more than conscientious congressmen could swallow.
For Domenici, the answer is simple, however difficult its execution: Rebuild the bill, making it heavy on conservation and alternative energy -- and light on promotion of gas, oil and coal consumption. think Republicans can really do this?)
Automobile-fuel efficiency must be demanded but could be encouraged as well. Detroit famously scorned early calls for high- mileage cars; we've done all we can, its executives insisted. Furrowed brows followed the introduction and enormous success of the gasoline-sipping, clean-burning Honda Civic from Japan.
Today, Ford, Chrysler and General Motors offer many fuel- efficient models. But they can do better. Instead of huge tax breaks for buying gas-guzzlers, why not create customer-incentive deductions for gas-electric hybrid cars and subsidies sizable enough to launch a few communities into the hydrogen-vehicle age?
The tax break for energy-efficient buildings should go back into Domenici's bill -- but with additional provisions for homes. Fuel- cell technology also should be given a governmental boost; same for "co-generation" of electricity by neighborhood-sized microturbines and other high-tech equipment.
There could be money aplenty for corporate contributors to the GOP Congress -- but it needn't be wasted on the technologies of the past, which have made us energy-dependent and polluters to boot.
Pete's in excellent position to put his brand on real energy reform, to launch the long voyage toward true independence from the world's shakier sources of energy.
How 'bout it, Senator?
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Right, how about it?
Del |
