WorldOil

Oil and gas in the capitals

It is a depressing realization that in three decades or more, Capitol Hill politicians have barely come up with a new idea on energy policy. The same old notions keep circulating in newly rewritten bills that barely differ from the failed ones of decades ago. Meanwhile, President Bush enters his final 18 months as president with little legacy (certainly not a positive one), and dangerously close to isolation and losing control over the Republican party. Bush’s one-time boast that he had political capital, and intended to use it, is history. Like all political careers, his is ending in failure. His mojo is gone. For energy, this means that no heavy legislative lifting will occur for the rest of the Bush term. Congress consistently misses energy efficiency bill deadlines (some, more than a decade old); bipartisanship is out, and old scores are being settled with a blood-sport vengeance that would terrify the Godfather...