Delay and MTBE

The new Senate energy bill not kind enough to oil and gas industry.

Hard bargaining lies ahead, especially with a pesky issue surrounding the gasoline additive MTBE remaining a potential deal breaker � as it was two years ago.

The House, particularly Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Sugar Land, wants to protect oil companies and refiners who produced MTBE from environmental lawsuits brought by communities whose drinking water has been contaminated by the additive. DeLay said an attempt is being made to "come up with a solution" to the MTBE issue but gave no details.

Supporters of the Senate bill, which has broad bipartisan backing and is silent on MTBE, say such liability protection would send the bill to defeat. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said the House needs to work out a compromise on MTBE that can pass Senate muster.