Leaders

House Democratic leaders are considering resurrecting as early as this week a failed $21 billion energy tax package to fund renewable energy by rolling back tax incentives for traditional oil and natural gas.

Speedy passage of a slimmed-down Senate energy bill seemed all but assured Thursday night after Democratic leaders agreed to scrap the controversial $21.8 billion tax package that Senate Republicans and President Bush opposed.

While some Republicans continued to voice their opposition to the closed-door talks on the House and Senate energy bills, House leaders said a conference report reconciling the two measures could be completed by as early as mid-November, according to committee aides.

While Massachusetts manufacturers have been converting their facilities to burn natural gas at the behest of public policy leaders, they are suffering from a gas supply shortage due to the failure of public policy to embrace new sources of gas, according to the Massachusetts Chemistry & Technology Alliance Inc.

While Massachusetts manufacturers have been converting their facilities to burn natural gas at the behest of public policy leaders, they are suffering from a gas supply shortage due to the failure of public policy to embrace new sources of gas, according to the Massachusetts Chemistry & Technology Alliance Inc.

Independent producers last Wednesday called on House leaders to rethink their position on provisions in soon-to-be-debated energy legislation that would impose significant restrictions on the oil and natural gas industry.

Independent producers Wednesday called on House leaders to rethink their position on provisions in soon-to-be-debated energy legislation that would impose significant restrictions on the oil and natural gas industry.

North American business leaders responding to a recent survey said they expect energy prices to continue to rise and they plan to invest in energy efficiency measures to help fight rising costs. The executives said cost cutting was a greater efficiency motivator than environmental responsibility.

North American business leaders responding to a recent survey said they expect energy prices to continue to rise and they plan to invest in energy efficiency measures to help fight rising costs. The executives said cost cutting was a greater efficiency motivator than environmental responsibility.