Jeff Bingaman: “My own view is we made some substantial progress in getting agreement on provisions related to electricity…”

“My own view is we made some substantial progress in getting agreement on provisions related to electricity restructuring; that is, the package of amendments Senator Thomas proposed and that we agreed to was a very good effort on the part of our staff, the Republican staff, Senator Thomas's staff, various people who have been working very hard on that set of issues. My own view is, the bill was substantially weakened by the two votes we had related to CAFE standards in particular. Clearly, the Senate was not willing to step up and ensure any kind of significant increased efficiency in the transportation sector in the coming years. That, to me, is a disappointment, a weakening of the bill. I don't see the logic that my colleague from Alaska seems to read into everything: The lack of wisdom of the Senate in the area of CAFE standards should justify additional lack of wisdom in the area of opening ANWR to drilling. But that is a debate for another time. I do hope my colleague from Alaska will offer his ANWR amendment at the earliest possible date.”