Wall Street Journal - Re-Post From Laura Meckler
The chiefs of the big, unionized companies—General Motors, Ford Motor and DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group—still plan to meet with congressional leaders on Friday, where they will lobby for support for ethanol and other biofuels—an alternative energy source where U.S. companies lead the way. Support is growing on Capitol Hill for investment in these fuels as an alternative to dependence on foreign oil. Four meetings are planned Thursday, with Republican and Democratic leaders in the House and the Senate.
U.S. auto makers have already produced millions of these flexible fuel cars, mostly because these autos help them to meet fuel economy standards. And the auto chiefs will pledge to produce more in the coming years. But, as is, few of these vehicles actually do run on alternative fuels because few gas stations carry it, and Detroit will be looking for help in growing the ethanol infrastructure.
With gas prices topping $3 a gallon in much of the country, energy policy is hot in D.C. But it’s not at the top of the agenda. Thursday’s White House meeting was postponed because Bush plans a trip to Yuma, Ariz., where he will discuss border security and immigration. – Laura Meckler
