Democrats Work on Energy Plan

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Democrats in Congress are proposing to enact provisions of a House bill that would open parts of the Continental Shelf to oil drilling now that it looks unlikely that the Senate will pass a standalone energy bill. The energy bill, once in the forefront, is now being overshadowed by the Wall Street bailout.

House majority leader Harry Reid said he planned to use the bill as a foundation for a vote on drilling. A bipartisan group of 20 senators – 10 from each party, had been working on a proposal, but it has stalled. Republicans however, have drafted their own alternative, as well as the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Jeff Bingaman.

If the energy bill is not acted upon before the upcoming recess, it’s likely that no bill will be passed before the new Congress convenes in November.

Read more about the congressional work on an energy plan.