U.S. Lawmakers Aim for Compromise Concerning Energy Bill

Stalled in the U.S. Senate for nearly a year, a comprehensive energy bill is getting a last-minute push by lawmakers who are trying to reach a compromise on its most controversial provision. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is leading an effort to bridge differences over a liability waiver for makers of methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE, a gasoline additive that has contaminated groundwater in some areas. Negotiations on a deal that could compensate claimants who sued the manufacturers with federal funds have the crucial support of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, who has been the prime player on the MTBE provision. "There are new ways and creative ways of addressing some of the problems those members have over there that I understand Ted Stevens is working on," DeLay said this week. DeLay has backed off from resisting changes in the House-passed version of the bill and believes Congress will finish the comprehensive energy package before it leaves for the November elections. "I'm really optimistic," he said. "As we get closer and closer to the deadline of adjournment, people start focusing on issues." The House and Senate are due to recess by Oct. 8. DeLay, who championed the MTBE […]

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