Power play
in 1999, Republican Spencer Abraham of Michigan was one of a handful of senators sponsoring a short-lived proposal to shut down the department of energy. Now Abraham, who lost his Senate re-election bid in November, is President George W Bush's choice to run that department in the face of the nation's worst energy challenges in 20 years.
Abraham claimed that he wanted to shut down the energy department to reduce federal spending. The White House has clarified that he no longer holds that view. Earlier, representing the state of Michigan, which is home to the us auto industry, Abraham successfully blocked higher fuel-economy standards for sport-utility vehicles and light trucks, but failed to suspend the federal gasoline tax. His appointment has baffled many environmentalists and even his close friends. Bills for natural gas, electricity and heating oil have jumped by 50 per cent or more over those of a year ago as the coldest winter in years depleted fuel stocks. Recently, northern and central California faced major power breakdowns.
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