Bush Names Exxon Chief to Chart America's Energy Future

[Nonphixion]

U.S. Department of Energy

Bush Names Exxon Chief to Chart America's Energy Future

Even for an administration dedicated to putting industry lobbyists in
charge of the very agencies they have devoted their careers to undermining, President Bush has recently outdone himself.
He has named Lee Raymond, the retired chief of ExxonMobil, to head a key
study to help America chart a cleaner course for our energy needs. Raymond
currently chairs the National Petroleum Council (NPC), one of the most
powerful lobbies in Washington.

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman says the study will address the supply and
demand of oil as well as "assess the potential contribution of
conservation, efficiency, alternative energy sources, and technology
advances" and determine "the potential long term impact of alternative
energies that are plentiful, affordable, reliable and transportable." Energy Department Under Secretary David Garman, added that the NPC is
"well qualified to provide a balanced and informed perspective on strategies
and action affecting the energy future for both the U.S. and for every
country on earth."

Environmentalists are outraged about the appointment of Lee Raymond.
During his long tenure at ExxonMobil, the company spent $19 million on front
groups designed to discredit the science on [climate change] effects. It also resisted
funding clean energy alternatives and lobbied aggressively to drill in the Arctic.

In a Wall Street Journal article on June 14, 2005, Mr. Raymond said, "it's
yet to be shown how much of this [climate change] is really related to the
activities of man."

ExxonMobil is considered a rogue company even among its peers. It vocally
opposes U.S. energy independence and presses for deeper reliance on oil
producing nations such as Saudi Arabia, where the company has sunk heavy
investments. Critics argue that Mr. Raymond's legacy is to deny that oil
dependence is a problem.

ExxonMobil is the only major oil giant calling renewable energy an
"uneconomical" investment. Known for abruptly shutting off the microphone at
shareholders meetings when opposition is voiced, Mr. Raymond has the
reputation of an impatient, authoritarian leader who shows no qualms about
publicly belittling those who disagree with him.

The Exxpose Exxon coalition, a collaborative effort of many of the
nation's largest environmental and public advocacy organizations
representing millions of Americans, called on Secretary Bodman "to remove
the Global Oil and Gas Study from the purview of Raymond and the NPC."

"This issue is too vital to be handed over to a company and an industry
that have demonstrated again and again that they will maximize profits at
the expense of our national security, the environment, and U.S.
consumers," they argued. The coalition recommended the study be given to an
independent body such as the National Academy of Sciences.

"Putting Lee Raymond in charge of solving U.S. energy problems is like
putting Jack Abramoff in charge of solving corruption," said Shawnee Hoover,
campaign director for the Exxpose Exxon Coalition.

Take Action - Tell Secretary Bodman Not to Let Exxon Chart America's
Energy Future.

Exxpose Exxon Backgrounder,
http://www.ExxposeExxon.com
National Petroleum Council
U.S. Department of Energy

[IminWonderland]

Well, I'm sure he has the public's best interests at heart....

[DosEquis]

Well hey why not... If Uday Hussein was still alive he could have been the judge for Saddam's trial.

[Stylerod]

This is 5 months old?

[sj23]

I thought there was a crackdown on corrupt lobbyists?

[SpicyMcVoodoo]

Bush never ceased to amaze me with his appointees.

[nbiggershaft]

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

Bush never ceased to amaze me with his appointees.

[scene: Bush with friends and lobyists at the white house playing drinking games]

bush: "Whoever wins at quarters gets to pull an appointment from the hat."

[Joe_Cool]

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

Well, I'm sure he has the public's best interests at heart....

Yeah, that's just silly. Who would ever think that an executive in the energy industry would have anything productive to say about energy?

[IminWonderland]

Originally Posted by Joe_Cool

Yeah, that's just silly. Who would ever think that an executive in the energy industry would have anything productive to say about energy?

I think an Executive in the Energy Industry will tell us that his enerfy is the most productive thing for our country.

That's what I think.

[SpicyMcVoodoo]

Originally Posted by Joe_Cool

Yeah, that's just silly. Who would ever think that an executive in the energy industry would have anything productive to say about energy?

I could give a shit that the guy used to head Exxon. In fact, I think that's a good thing because it means he knows what he's talking about when it comes to energy. The part I find ridiculous is this:

Raymond currently chairs the National Petroleum Council (NPC), one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington.

That sounds to me like a blatant conflict of interest.

[Donkey®]

Pretty much expected with Bush and his track record of sucking the nuts of big business. This presidency just can't end quick enough.