Energy Task Force
The Energy Task Force was created in the second week of office of George W. Bush as President. It is also commonly known as the Cheney Energy Task Force named after the Vice president Dick Cheney and the former CEO of Halliburton. Officially the Task force is known by the National Energy Policy Development Group (NEPDG). Vice President Dick Cheney is the Chairman of the group. The main purpose of the group was to develop an energy policy for the Bush administration especially since both have background in the energy industry. Critics have accused the extreme secrecy of the group claiming that the national policy of the administration was being influenced by the energy industry.
The investigative arm of Congress, known as the General Accounting Office, filed a lawsuit against the administration after being prompted by congressmen Henry Waxman and J. Dingell. The case was known as the Walker v. Cheney lawsuit. However Judge J.D. Bates dismissed the case. Incidentally Judge bates was an appointee of President Bush. None the less the lawsuit reflected the power struggle between the legislative and the executive branch.
Despite the request filed under the freedom of Information act (FOIA), most of the information and the activities of the Energy Task Force have not been disclosed. However the commerce department did make a partial disclosure releasing the documents dated March 2001. The documents were of maps, charts of the oil fields, pipelines, refineries and development projects in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Though the US government was ordered to make full disclosure, it did not do so and the appeal is still pending. Though the Supreme Court took up the case, its ruling directed the case back to the court of appeals.
USA Election Polls is a premiere advertiser. Visit their website. Thank you! |
