ENERGY INDUSTRY THANKS GOP FOR ENERGY TAX BREAKS

From progressreport.org

ENERGY INDUSTRY THANKS GOP FOR ENERGY TAX BREAKS: The energy industry
has a major presence at the convention. As AP reports, "the dozens of
special-interest parties include a trapshooting tournament and 'Wild
West' bash sponsored by the American Gas Association
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4457305,00.html)
(AGA)." The NYT notes AGA "estimates that the nine affairs it is
involved in this week and the six it held at the Democratic convention in
Boston last month cost $700,000." Meanwhile, "the American Petroleum
Institute
(http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/31/politics/campaign/31money.html) and oil industry companies are honoring Sen. Pete V. Domenici
(R-NM), chairman of the Energy Committee." It is all part of the energy
industry's broader strategy to reward the Republican Party for its support
for more energy industry tax breaks
(http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,525039117,00.html) and weaker
environmental regulations. As the Dallas Morning News reports, "over the
last four years, the electric power industry has contributed heavily
(http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0830-05.htm) to Mr. Bush and
benefited from business-friendly policies that environmentalists say
have weakened air quality while saving companies billions of dollars."