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Non-Tech : The ENRON Scandal -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mephisto who wrote (1249)	1/26/2002 4:29:04 PM
From: Mephisto	Respond to of 5185

Waxman: Energy Policy Helpful to Enron Fri Jan 25, 8:14 PM ET By PETE YOST, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House apparently added a last-minute provision to the Bush administration's energy policy last spring that was helpful to Enron, a Democratic congressman said Friday. The assistance came to light when Rep. Henry Waxman of California produced a draft of the energy plan that contained no language that would have Bush Cabinet secretaries push energy development in India, where Enron had a money-losing power plant. The language was in the final energy plan. In a letter to Vice President Dick Cheney, whose energy task force formulated the final policy, Waxman said his understanding is that any changes in the draft, which was reviewed by agencies across the government, "were made under the direction of the White House." The final report adds language recommending that "the President direct the Secretaries of State and Energy to work with India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to help India maximize its domestic oil and gas production." The White House said the language on India was part of a lengthy section reflecting the administration's push for energy development in all of Asia. "A simple reading of the report would demonstrate the importance we place on all countries of the world increasing their energy resources to keep prices stable and to keep prices low," said White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan. According to Waxman, the recommendation on India "benefited Enron by formally enlisting two Cabinet secretaries in Enron's conflict with the Indian government." "The energy plan does not discuss this recommendation or explain why maximizing oil and gas production in India should be a U.S. national energy priority," wrote Waxman, the ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee. Regarding Enron's business interests in India, the company enlisted the help of the Bush and Clinton administrations in pushing the Maharashtra State Electricity Board to settle a $64 million debt Enron claimed for building a giant power plant in Dabhol. The $2.9 billion project dates to 1992 and is insured by the taxpayer-funded Overseas Private Investment Corp. Waxman's letter is part of a nine-month effort to get the Bush White House to identify the business leaders it met with in formulating the administration's energy policy. The head of the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, said he will decide next week whether to file suit to force the White House to turn over documents on the meetings. Such a lawsuit would be unprecedented for the GAO. David Walker, the agency's head, said, "The principle involved here is transparency and accountability in government." White House officials have said they might explore releasing the information to a legislative committee or lawmakers instead of the GAO. Buchan, the White House spokeswoman, said: "We have always understood that this may well end up in court, and we're prepared to stand on an important constitutional principle." Congressional Democrats John Dingell of Michigan and Waxman urged Walker to go to court, writing the GAO chief that "the need to obtain the information we requested has only increased over time, particularly with recent questions concerning the influence of Enron." "This is the first time with any administration that we have been totally denied access to information dealing with a task force of this type," Walker said in an interview. "We're concerned about the use of this type of mechanism on a recurring basis as an attempt to avoid congressional oversight or GAO review." story.news.yahoo.com ___