Thursday, April 21, 2005

Energy Bill May Block NIMBY LNG Opposition

Congress today will vote on a provision that would block NIMBY opposition to LNG terminals. (ObNote: I live close enough to the proposed site of one such that it could be a concern for me.) Democrats, not known for their love of states rights, suddenly find themselves taking plays from the rebel handbook as they fight a rearguard battle against LNG terminals and for conservation measures.

The news isn't all bad, however; the bill does include a provision demanding the EPA actually test cars under likely driving conditions rather than the current regime, which is widely derided for producing unrealistic mileage figures. But that's about the only good news; the bill also contains a provision that lets MTBE producers off the hook for groundwater pollution. (On the other hand, who ordered that chemical into gasoline, hmm?)