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TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2002

The Department of Energy never met with conservation of energy groups during the formulation of President Bush's national energy policy, according to a review of agency documents by The Washington Post.

The department, however, and Secretary Spencer Abraham did meet with dozens of representatives of the energy, gas, coal and oil industry from February to April of 2001. The energy policy was released in May 2001.

The documents -- more than 11,000, according to the department's report -- reviewed by the paper were turned over pursuant to a court order. The order is part of lawsuit filed by environmental group and political watchdog watchdog organization seeking more information about the formulation of the energy policy.

The groups asked for the documents nearly a year ago. A judge required the records, which include memos, e-mail and other information, be handed over.

In releasing the documents, the department claimed they prove that environmental interests were adequately considered. The department in a press release boasted that it consulted documents by the National Resources Defense Council, which filed the lawsuit.

Separately, the White House Office of Management and Budget was ordered to turn over documents. According to the paper, most of the information was redacted.

The Bush administration is facing a different lawsuit related to the energy policy. The challenge is filed by the General Accounting Office.

Get the Story:
Energy Contacts Disclosed (The Washington Post 3/26)
Energy Chief Met Envoys From Industry (The New York Times 3/26)
Username: indianz.com, Password: indianz.com
Bush Turns Over Energy Documents (AP 3/25)

Related Documents:
DOE Press Release | DOE Letter 1 | DOE Letter 2

Get the Policy:
Reliable, Affordable, and Environmentally Sound Energy for America’s Future (The White House 5/17)
ERRATA: Corrections (The White House 5/17)

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

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