Markup

Following three nonconsecutive days of markup, the House Natural Resources Committee last Wednesday passed a controversial energy policy reform bill (HR 2337) that would impose a number of new restrictions on oil and natural gas producers and pipelines, as well as repeal benefits that were offered to the energy industry in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct).

Following three nonconsecutive days of markup, the House Natural Resources Committee Wednesday passed a controversial energy policy reform bill (HR 2337) that would impose a number of new restrictions on oil and natural gas producers and pipelines, as well as repeal benefits that were offered to the energy industry in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct).

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton, R-TX, announced at the end of last week he will hold a full committee markup starting this Tuesday on the book-length Energy Policy Act of 2005, at the same time a key Senate energy leader set Wednesday for the announcement of broad stand-alone natural gas legislation directed at bringing down prices.

In a markup of the comprehensive energy bill Wednesday, the Senate Energy Committee approved a large number of gas measures designed to speed up the production process and smooth the way for permitting and approvals.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, late Friday said his panel would start marking up pending energy legislation later this month and said he would give the Bush administration another chance to explain its proposals to allow oil companies to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, late Friday said his panel would start marking up pending energy legislation later this month and would give the Bush administration another chance to explain its proposals to allow oil companies to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Fresh from their recent recess, House Democrats and Republicans who sit on the House Energy and Commerce Committee this morning will take another crack at marking up legislation designed to provide relief to the troubled California wholesale energy markets. A Capitol Hill aide expressed confidence that the bill will be voted on today by the full committee.