17-March-2010

In an Environment & Energy Daily article discussing the ongoing energy talks between Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and the Alliance for Energy and Economic Growth (AEEG), Andrew Wheeler of B&D Consulting characterized these discussions as nothing more than information-gathering sessions for constituencies that do not want to be left out of the legislation drafting process. Wheeler also noted that, to date, these conversations have not yielded any legislative text.

"I don't think it's a sign they're wanting to support it," said Wheeler, former staff director to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee ranking member James Inhofe (R-Okla.), of the industry players coming to the table. "It's a sign of a vacuum."

In the E&E Daily article, Wheeler characterized these meetings as an effort by the industry to decipher all of the conflicting messages emerging about the legislation, especially after several committees backed away from their pledges this year to hold hearings on the climate legislation.

"They're picking winners and losers, just like anyone who's addressed this issue," Wheeler said. "And no one wants to be the loser."