"Hopes Dim for Measures to Conserve Energy"

Bills previously passed this year by Congress, on the conservation of energy are having a dwindling effect and are seeing little if any light. This is due to the policy and technical conflictions between the House, the Senate, and even the President. Efficient energy promotion was seen as a priorty not too long ago, but due to other events such as the war in Iraq, and financial market concern attention has turned. A conference was supposed to be called to resolve the different bills established, but leaders will not be able to be elected until end of October and the idea of skipping the conference seems to be rejected by the Republicans because it will cause a "Filibuster." The Senates proposed bill includes:
"increasing automobile fuel-efficiency standards to a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, compared to 27.5 m.p.g. today...another section would require utilities to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020."
Usually the House and Senate reconcile bills, but because they are two completely different bills, on the ideas of standard gas mileage and renewable power it will have to be decided which is passed first in order to call a conference. A new Senate bill is being worked on to match the House bill but any finality is yet to be reached.
"President Bush has threatened to veto the House bill, which he says does not have enough incentives for domestic energy production, and the Senate bill because it has penalties for price gouging by the oil industry."
This raises another question about our occupation in Iraq. Iraq is known to be an abundant resource of oil that is relatively cheap. So is Bush really only trying to help their people? After further research it was found that the UN and the US are working on new policies in Iraq such as:
"The Iraqi constitution of 2005, greatly influenced by US advisors, contains language that guarantees a major role for foreign companies. Negotiators hope soon to complete deals on Production Sharing Agreements"
This issue, like the occupation in Iraq seems to be a long way from being solved. This issue is being worked on gradually but no relatively big break through's have been made.
"It’s not a pretty picture,” said Frank Maisano, an energy lobbyist. “That’s not to say that in time they won’t be able to craft a compromise. But they’re clearly not in any hurry.”
So it seems that those of us who have not yet bought hybrids will still be going to the gas station weekly seeing how much we can squeeze in our tanks. This is a big issue becoming evident to every citizen with a car or with energy bills to pay. Hopefully Congress can decide on what 'needs' to be done soon.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/washington/13energy.html?_r=1

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/oil/irqindx.htm