Rahall eyes oil and gas addition to climate bill but leadership uncertain

House Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) hopes to add a major oil and gas title to the Democratic energy and climate bill, but it remains unclear whether he will get the chance as House leaders aim to speed the bill's progress. "I'd prefer to have it attached to the climate bill, because when we're talking about energy, it should be in a comprehensive piece of legislation," Rahall told E&E yesterday. "Now is the time to do it, in a nonpolitical season without the emotions attached there to and at a time when the price of the pump is relatively low compared to where it was when we heard 'drill baby drill'" he added. But the path forward for the proposal is uncertain. The bill has not yet been formally introduced, and Rahall said it is being prepared so that "if asked to include it as part of climate change, we'll be ready rather than go through a crammed session to get it ready." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) yesterday said she wants committees to act by June 19, and floor debate could begin by the end of this month...NYTimes