THE SMELL OF OIL --- AND REFORM

The people in the ARBORETUM have been snarling about the oil companies for quite awhile. Maybe we'll get some satisfaction! Now that Congress is undergoing a great change and the loyalest of the oil company shills have lost their jobs as commanders of the Commerce Committee and the Natural Resources Committee and a number of others, there are to be some wonderful new initiatives.

And at the top of the list of new initiatives is INVESTIGATIONS. One of the greatest powers of the Congress is the power to investigate, the power to subpoena, and that has not been happening in the past 5 years. And brother! as far as well can see, those investigations are very sorely needed.


---And a demand for payment of royalties which oil companies owe the government by the billions.

---And use of royalty money for alternative and renewable energy sources.

---And limits on market and price manipulations that have caused prices to jiggle all over the map and result in record corporate profits.

All of these things are good for the environment and good for the future.

Read all about it here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061226/ap_on_go_co/congress_oil


first paragraph:
WASHINGTON - House Democrats in the first weeks of the new Congress plan to establish a dedicated fund to promote renewable energy and conservation, using money from oil companies. That's only one legislative hit the oil industry is expected to take next year as a Congress run by Democrats is likely to show little sympathy to the cash-rich, high-profile business.