Is the next president likely to enact energy legislation?
Both John McCain and Barack Obama pledge to overhaul the country’s approach to energy issues. The debate will hinge on setting a long-term strategy that keeps the economy running, and learning to adapt to higher energy prices. Climate-change legislation that affects energy also is likely to move forward. Not only is public demand strong, but also the affected industries, such as coal-burning power plants, would like to see solid legislation that takes away some of the uncertainty caused by the lack of a policy. Why is there debate over drilling for oil off U.S. coasts and in Alaska? President Bush recently lifted a presidential ban on offshore drilling, but Congress would need to do the same to give oil companies access to regions off-limits since 1981. The ban was originally spurred by a 1969 oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif. McCain supports removing the ban; Obama is opposed. Opponents say drilling is not worth the environmental risk and that it’s likely the oil would
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