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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2001

Environmentalists fear a little-known provision in the energy bill passed by the House this week will open the way for more oil and gas drilling in the Rocky Mountains.

An amendment offered by Rep. Scott McInnis (R-Colo.) strips local US Forest Service supervisors of their veto power over drilling in national forests. The power would instead be exercised by the Undersecretary for Natural Resources at the Department of Agriculture, a political appointee.

Bush has named Mark Rey, a former lobbyist for the timber industry, to the post.

Get the Bill:
To enhance energy conservation, research and development and to provide for security and diversity in the energy supply for the American people (H.R.4)

Get the Story:
Forests targeted for more drilling (The Denver Post 8/3)

Only on Indianz.Com:
Inside the Bush energy policy (5/18)

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