FERC Chief Sees Difficulty In Passing Energy Bill In 2005

Dow Jones & Company, Inc. - Nov 9

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--The head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said Tuesday he's hoping lawmakers go ahead and pass the long-stalled comprehensive energy bill this month during the lame-duck session, saying it might be harder for Congress to do so next year.

"When the president sets an agenda for social security and taxes, that means a major focus on that stuff," FERC Chairman Patrick Wood III said at a conference sponsored by the Electric Power Supply Association.

"I don't think those issues are bad for the (energy) industry, but it may unfortunately keep a shot at the energy bill from coming forward" next year, he said.

-By Maya Jackson Randall , Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9263; Maya.Jackson- Randall@dowjones.com

Dow Jones Newswires 11-09-04 1648ET