LAWMAKERS BALK AT FUEL EFFICIENCY DESPITE RENEWED ENERGY DEBATE

Senate lawmakers appear to be resisting additional vehicle fuel efficiency measures despite talk of new legislation to remedy energy supply and demand problems in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, hinting at further uphill battles for groups who touted conservation and other alternatives to energy development in a recently approved energy law. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) told reporters Sept. 13 that the idea of boosting corporate average fuel economy standards for automobiles is encountering resistance...