It appears that a comprehensive Senate energy bill may be the latest casualty of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Nine Republican members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee have called on Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) to scale back the legislation to focus on those energy measures that enjoy bipartisan support and can be easily passed during this session.

“The tragic events of Sept. 11 have dramatically altered the landscape of this nation. We too must alter our course,” wrote key Republican committee members in a letter to Bingaman Monday. “For our part, we believe that our committee must report legislation to secure our nation’s energy infrastructure and increase domestic supply of all energy sources. We must do so expeditiously to enable Senate consideration of legislation prior to adjournment this session.”

The Senate panel should focus only on those measures that “are achievable this year,” they said. These would include proposals that “contribute directly to maintenance of our energy infrastructure, increase domestic sources of production, reduce demand and decrease our reliance on unstable sources” to supply the United States’ energy needs.

“While we understand your [Bingaman’s] interest in a comprehensive bill that includes electricity restructuring, climate change and other issues, we must assess whether there is sufficient agreement, beyond some basic provisions, to enable us to proceed at this time without jeopardizing an entire legislative package” being forwarded to President Bush, the lawmakers noted.

The coalition of Republicans said they thought it was “possible to conclude consideration of the remaining issues” in the chairman’s mark, “within no more than two business meetings, and have a bill ready for floor action immediately.” They urged Bingaman to circulate to committee members the text of the remaining portions of his comprehensive mark that haven’t been acted on by the entire panel yet.

“Other issues that need to be deferred at this time can be revisited in separate legislation during the next session of Congress,” the senators told Bingaman.”There is very little time remaining this session. It would be irresponsible for us to conclude this session without providing the president with the energy tools that are needed to provide for our long-term national security and economic growth.”

Signing the letter were Sens. Don Nickles of Oklahoma, Pete Domenici of New Mexico, Frank Murkowski of Alaska, Larry Craig of Idaho, Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, Craig Thomas of Wyoming, Richard Shelby of Alabama, Conrad Burns of Montana, Jon Kyl of Arizona, Chuck Hagel of Maine, and Gordon Smith of Oregon.

©Copyright 2001 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.