House Adopts Energy Bill (HR 4) to Drill in Alaska - August 2, 2001

The House failed miserably last night to do the right thing on energy - turning down a significant increase in CAFE standards, supporting drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and supporting massive giveaways to coal and oil.

Here are the highlights:

• $33.5 billion in tax cuts and incentives over 10 years to encourage oil, gas, "clean" coal and nuclear energy production and conservation measures.
• .Authorizes drilling for oil and gas in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and provides royalty relief incentive for deepwater leases in central and western Gulf of Mexico.
• Eases restrictions on energy production on federal lands, but does not open any particular national park, monument or wilderness area to drilling or mining.
• Commissions the National Academy of Sciences to study optimizing oil and gas supplies and establishes review of impediments to onshore federal lands oil and gas leasing.
• Makes a modest increase in the fuel economy standards for sport-utility vehicles and other light trucks and imposes mandatory energy efficiency for federal buildings.