Cantwell Asking Bush To Rescind $1 Billion Budget Cut To BPA

[hatrack]

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Maria Cantwell took her case to protect Northwest consumers from higher power rates to the White House Tuesday, telling President Bush his proposal to siphon $1 billion from the Bonneville Power Administration would damage the region's economy and set a dangerous precedent.

"I asked the president, 'You're not serious about this are you?'" Cantwell, D-Wash., said after a meeting on broad energy policy.

Bush listened, she said, but did not make any commitments beyond assuring her that Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman would discuss the question in greater detail with her and other senators before a final decision is made. "We put on a push at the highest levels but there was nothing there to convince me they had done a 180," Cantwell said.

Even so, she said the opportunity to talk is important because it provides time to solidify opposition. Unlike past efforts to restructure the BPA, the proposal this year does not require congressional action.


EDIT

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/259517_cantwell15.html

Too late, Senator.