Powerful

Rep. Joseph Barton (R-TX), the new chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, created two new posts — Whip and Coalition Director — in his first week on the job.

Rep. Joseph Barton (R-TX), the new chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, has created two new posts — Whip and Coalition Director — in his first week on the job.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) last Thursday was approved by unanimous consent as the new chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, succeeding Rep. W.J. “Billy” Tauzin (R-LA) who relinquished the top spot in mid-February.

As was widely expected, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) on Thursday was approved by unanimous consent as the new chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. He replaces Rep. W.J. “Billy” Tauzin (R-LA), who gave up the position earlier this month.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) was on course to become the new chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee late Wednesday, succeeding Rep. W.J. “Billy” Tauzin (R-LA), who stepped down from the position earlier this month, Capitol Hill aides said.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) moved one step closer to becoming the next chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee when the House Republican Steering Committee approved his nomination last Wednesday.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) moved one step closer to becoming the next chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee when the House Republican Steering Committee approved his nomination Wednesday.

Hurricane Isabel, packing super-powerful maximum sustained winds of nearly 140 mph and pointing at shooting the gap between southern Florida and Cuba, was accorded most of the credit Wednesday for rallying cash prices and sustaining a futures run-up. Cash market movement ranged from flat to slightly more than a dime higher. Most of the smallest gains were clustered at California and Rocky Mountains/Pacific Northwest points, which tend to be least affected by hurricane disruptions of offshore supply.

Producers, pipelines and other industry companies with facilities in Lili’s path grew increasingly alarmed on Tuesday as the hurricane continued to grow in strength and appeared poised to wreak havoc on infrastructure in Louisiana. By the end of the day Tuesday, it was clear Lili would pack far more punch than the much weaker Isidore did only a few days earlier.