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| Wilson Steps Into Key Role on Energy Policy |
July 18, 2001 |
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By Michael Coleman
Albuquerque Journal
WASHINGTON — Rep. Heather Wilson is emerging as a key player in the national energy policy debate even as the state`s Democratic senator, Jeff Bingaman, is in the spotlight as the new chairman of the Senate Energy Committee.
The Republican congresswoman from Albuquerque has sponsored energy legislation, made several energy-related speeches and gained a seat on a House energy task force.
Why has Wilson suddenly burst onto the energy scene?
"I`ve worked very hard on this issue," she said recently in an interview between House floor votes. "I think we need a balanced long-term energy plan that includes both conservation and a diverse supply."
"This is important for New Mexico; we are an oil and gas producing state, a uranium-mining state and a coal-mining state."
Scott Stoermer, a spokesman for the League of Conservation Voters, a Washington-based environmental group, was cynical about Wilson`s moves. He said the House GOP leadership has given Wilson a platform to shore up her image with moderate voters who aren`t impressed with her environmental record.
"They (GOP leaders) recognize how vulnerable she is," Stoermer said, referring to Wilson`s closely contested elections in 1997, 1998 and 2000. "It suggests she`s got some concerns about getting re-elected after running so close in the last three elections."
Wilson said she isn`t trying to use energy policy, or any other high-profile issue, for political gain.
"My job isn`t positioning myself for anything," she said. "My job is to fight for New Mexico and to do what`s best for New Mexico."
House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, last month appointed Wilson to the 20-member GOP "House Energy Action Team," a task force created to shape long-term, national energy policy.
In late June, Wilson gave three speeches on the House floor touting the need for a "balanced" energy plan that mixes increased domestic energy supply with conservation and renewable energy sources, such wind or solar power. On Monday, she hosted an energy forum in Albuquerque as part of President Bush`s effort to win support for his controversial energy plan.
Over the past week, Wilson offered a series of amendments to a major energy bill before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She succeeded in getting two propositions included in the legislation: an increase in efficiency standards for air conditioners and a directive to the Department of Energy to assess and inventory renewable energy sources in the U.S.
Two more Wilson proposals that would give the uranium industry a boost also are in the bill.
DeLay, in a prepared statement, said he selected Wilson to be a House leader on energy because she is diligent and informed.
"Heather is moving this plan forward all day and speaking about energy into the night on the House floor," DeLay said.
Wilson said she was among the first to encourage DeLay and the Republicans to take the congressional lead on energy debate. House Republicans are trying to wrap up work on a comprehensive energy package before the August recess.
The Senate energy panel, led by Bingaman since Democrats gained control of the Senate in June when Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont left the Republican Party, is moving more slowly.
"I went to the leadership two months ago and said, `Look, we really need to get a handle on what are going to do on energy,` `` Wilson said. "We haven`t had to talk about energy policy in this country for 20 years."
Sen. Pete Domenici, a New Mexico Republican who has long had a prominent voice in national energy debates, said he isn`t surprised GOP leaders turned to Wilson for help on energy matters.
"She is very gifted when it comes to technical issues," he said.
Domenici, who has served as a mentor for Wilson on nuclear energy issues, said it makes sense for Wilson to latch onto energy issues because her district is home to Sandia National Laboratories and New Mexico is a major energy producer.
"We have a little bit more at stake (in the energy debate) than the average state," Domenici said. |
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