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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neeka who wrote (257745)	5/22/2002 7:53:11 PM
From: bonnuss_in_austin	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Chevron Letters to White House Show Massive Influence Do you like this stuff to guarantee fuel for your SUV, 'moenmac?' ??? truthout.org Chevron Helped Dictate U.S. Energy Policy Bush Administration's Energy Task Force Adopted Several of the Oil Company's Recommendations WASHINGTON (May 22, 2002) - Among the roughly 1,500 additional documents from the Energy Department related to Vice President Cheney's energy task force, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) has uncovered evidence showing the Bush administration implemented energy policies requested by Chevron Corporation. The company provided several recommendations, ranging from easing federal permitting rules for energy projects to relaxing standards fuel supply requirements, which ultimately were included in the president's national energy plan. NRDC unexpectedly received these documents late last night, 41 days after the final court deadline for their release. According to Sharon Buccino, NRDC senior attorney, "The administration has unlawfully delayed the release of some of the most embarrassing evidence of industry involvement in the Bush energy plan." In a February 5, 2002, letter to President George Bush and copied to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Chevron CEO David J. O'Reilly recommends four short-term actions the administration should take to "eliminate federal barriers to increased energy supplies." The energy task force - officially known as the National Energy Policy Development Group (NEPDG) - included Chevron's recommendations in its report to President Bush on May 17, 2001. Examples follow: Permitting for Energy Projects Chevron Recommendation: "Charge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to identify and address federal barriers to permitting energy projects (e.g. projects to develop new supplies of energy, and projects that produce cleaner transportation fuels)..." Task Force Recommendations: "The NEPD Group recommends the President issue an Executive Order to rationalize permitting for energy production in an environmentally sound manner by directing federal agencies to expedite permits and other federal actions necessary for energy-related project approvals on a national basis. This order would establish an inter-agency task force chaired by the Council on Environmental Quality to ensure that federal agencies responsible for permitting energy-related facilities are coordinating their efforts. The task force will ensure that federal agencies set up appropriate mechanisms to coordinate federal, state, tribal, and local permitting activity in particular regions where increased activity is expected. "The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Energy to take steps to ensure America has adequate refining capacity to meet the needs of consumers. * Provide more regulatory certainty to refinery owners and streamline the permitting process where possible to ensure that regulatory overlap is limited. * Adopt comprehensive regulations (covering more than one pollutant and requirement) and consider the rules' cumulative impacts and benefits. "The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and other relevant agencies, to review New Source Review regulations, including administrative interpretation and implementation, and report to the President within 90 days on the impact of the regulations on investment in new utility and refinery generation capacity, energy efficiency, and environmental protection." "Boutique" Fuel Requirements Chevron Recommendation: "Promote legislation to address the balkanization of transportation fuels. Recent federal, state and local regulations have led to a patchwork of boutique fuel requirements, which have contributed to supply constraints and increased fuel costs. Comprehensive energy legislation should address the regulatory requirements affecting the nation's motor fuel supply. A federal plan should be developed to move the U.S. to nationwide performance-based standards for gasoline and diesel fuels." Task Force Recommendation: "The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Administrator of the EPA to study opportunities to maintain or improve the environmental benefits of state and local 'boutique' clean fuel programs while exploring ways to increase the flexibility of the fuels distribution infrastructure, improve fungibility, and provide added gasoline market liquidity. In concluding this study, the Administrator shall consult with the Departments of Energy and Agriculture, and other agencies as needed." Offshore Oil Exploration - Gulf of Mexico Chevron Recommendation: "Proceed with domestic energy development, including Lease Sale 181 in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico scheduled for later this year. This announcement would complement and reinforce your support to open ANWR, and demonstrate a commitment to reject unjustified opposition to new energy leasing and development." Task Force Recommendations: "The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretary of the Interior to consider economic incentives for environmentally sound offshore oil and gas development where warranted by specific circumstances: explore opportunities for royalty reductions, consistent with ensuring a fair return to the public where warranted for enhanced oil and gas recovery; for reduction of risk associated with production in frontier areas or deep gas formations; and for development of small fields that would otherwise be uneconomic. "The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretaries of Commerce and Interior to re-examine the current federal legal and policy regime (statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders) to determine if changes are needed regarding energy-related activities and the siting of energy facilities in the coastal zone and on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). "The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretary of the Interior continue OCS oil and gas leasing and approval of exploration and development plans on predictable schedules." Trade Sanctions Chevron Recommendation: "Oppose any attempt to reinstate the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) which sunsets on August 5, 2001, and consider lifting or modifying the current Executive Order that prohibits U.S. companies from doing business with Iran. U.S. energy policy should recognize the global nature of energy supply, and the role that foreign countries play in our nation's energy security. We urge your administration to support U.S. based companies efforts to expand and diversify the supply of energy throughout the world. This includes your support for eliminating ineffective, unilateral trade sanctions and promoting open trading relationships." NEPDG Recommendation: "The NEPD Group recommends that the President direct the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and Commerce to initiate a comprehensive review of sanctions. Energy security should be one of the factors considered in such a review." ------- **Click Here to View Chevron's Letters (pdf format) The Bush administration's National Energy Policy Report is on the Web at: www.fe.doe.gov/general/energypolicy.shtml . Other documents reveal key involvement by the National Mining Association, the National Petroleum & Refiners Association, General Motors and other major industries in the development of the Bush energy plan. As part of its ongoing efforts to obtain additional energy task force documents that the administration continues to withhold, NRDC will be back in federal court tomorrow. Print This Story E-mail This Story © : t r u t h o u t 2002 Comments, moenmac? bia