Click here to download file. (pdf)

The U.S. Senate is debating national energy legislation this week, and the fossil fuel industry is trying to load the bill with sweetheart deals that would weaken environmental law, shut the public out of the permitting process, and promote technologies that would increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Here are two key developments you should know about:

* Yesterday, Senator Inhofe proposed a bill to "expedite" the permitting of refineries, and require the Department of Energy to give priority to commercial-scale projects to convert coal to liquid fuels, with taxpayers picking up 80% of the tab.  Never mind that refineries are already expanding rapidly to cash in on high gasoline prices, and that coal to liquid projects generate nearly twice as much carbon dioxide as gasoline refining (considering life cycle impacts).  The amendment was defeated by 42-53.  

* Undaunted by Senator's Inhofe's defeat, Senator Hagel has introduced an amendment to accelerate the permitting of power plants, refineries, and other energy projects.  The legislation would allow industry to go straight to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to protest the failure to meet a schedule or a decision to deny a permit.  Needless to say, the public doesn't get the same access to federal courts, e.g., to protest a decision to site an energy project that would overload local communities with air pollution or contaminate groundwater.  The Hagel amendment would also move EPA toward adoption of new "cost-benefit" criteria for permitting energy projects that could eventually rewrite federal environmental standards.  The Hagel amendment is so silly and lopsided that it may collapse under its own weight.  But Senators who vote for his amendment are putting their constituents on notice:  When the fossil fuel industry wants something, you'd better get out of the way.   

Please see the attachments below:

Hagel Amendment
Inhofe Amendment
Inhofe Roll Call Vote  (see second column)

If you have questions or would like additional information, I can be reached at (202) 296-8800 or eschaeffer@environmentalintegrity.org

Executive Director
Environmental Integrity Project
http://www.environmentalintegrity.org