The House has already approved legislation sponsored by a powerful Texas Republican, Rep. Joe Barton, that would deliver what the industry wants, brushing aside protests from California water officials, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic Attorney General Bill Lockyer.
However, the U.S. Senate is widely expected to withstand industry pressure as it takes up its own energy bill this week, shifting the showdown to a conference committee later this summer.
That could set the stage for a possible repeat of 2003 when an energy bill collapsed, partially over an impasse involving MTBE.
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Someday, there will be an energy bill.. someday, maybe..
Didn't the government make them use MTBE.
Bush has to get out there and pitch this energy bill. It's a slam dunk if he makes it an issue and blames the RATS for doing nothing while gasoline is at $2.25 a gallon and predicted to go to $3.00 and stay there. If Bush can't sell the energy bill he should climb in a hole and hide for the rest of his term.