US Senate Energy Committee approves comprehensive energy bill

Washington (Platts)--26May2005

The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Thursday approved its
comprehensive energy legislation by a 21-1 vote. By voice vote, the panel
approved an amendment directing the Dept of Interior to conduct an inventory
of OCS resources and report the findings back to Congress. 

A proposal to give coastal states the option of asking Interior to offer
leases currently under moratorium was not considered by the committee, but is
expected to be offered when the bill reaches the floor of the Senate.
Similarly, a proposal to give the states joint jurisdiction with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission over siting LNG facilities was also deferred for
action by the full Senate.

The panel also approved language repealing the Public Utility Holding Company
Act. Committee Chairman Pete Dominici said he had been told by Senate Leader
Bill Frist that the Senate will take up the legislation shortly after it
returns from its Memorial Day recess the week of June 6.

This story was originally published in Platts Electricity Alert
http://www.electricityalert.platts.com

Copyright © 2005 - Platts

Please visit:  www.platts.com

Their coverage of energy matters is extensive!!.