I haven't the energy

Exhibit A in my political beliefs: the fate of the Democratic energy bill.

The Senate passed its energy bill on June 21; the House passed its on Aug. 4. The most significant provisions include increasing automobile fuel-efficiency standards to a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, compared to 27.5 m.p.g. today.

The standard for light trucks is 20.7 m.p.g.

Another section would require utilities to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

The mileage standard appears just in the Senate bill, having been squelched in the House by the opposition of Representative John D. Dingell, the powerful Democrat from Michigan. The mandate for renewable power is just in the House bill, having failed in the Senate.

Ordinarily, House and Senate leaders appoint conferees to reconcile bills. But because the Senate and House passed entirely different bills, not simply different versions, one or both chambers will have to pass the other’s bill before it can be “conferenced.”

Incidentally, the piece also mentions that Republicans are pushing for domestic oil production subsidies, while Democrats want a penalty for "price-gouging" by oil companies. I'm so proud to have voted for a party that thinks that retroactive taxes on "excess" profits are a good way to deal with high prices. After all, it worked terribly well in the 1970's and 1980's. I bet that will teach those nasty oil companies that there are penalties for producing a highly desireable product!

Is it any wonder that I'm not affiliated with either party?