With the Democratic takeover of the U.S. Senate, prospects for President Bush’s energy plan have gotten significantly dimmer. Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), the incoming chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said he would try to force the Energy Department to draft rules to increase the fuel efficiency of SUVs and light trucks. He also said he would oppose opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. On a related note, here’s an item that you may (or may not) find shocking: At least three of the top White House advisors who helped draft the Bush administration’s energy plan own stock in the Enron Corporation or have earned fees from the Texas-based energy trading company.
