Forest of dreams? Pork barrel projects light up energy bill (CNN)

[salin]

Forest of dreams?
Pork barrel projects light up energy bill

By Steve Turnham and Ted Barrett
CNN Washington Bureau
Thursday, November 6, 2003 Posted: 7:10 PM EST (0010 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- While Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley's battle to increase corn-based ethanol production in the energy bill has grabbed the political headlines, he has been quietly working to get money set aside in the legislation for another project of special interest to his home state -- a massive rainforest smack in the middle of Iowa corn country.

The project, called the Iowa Environmental/Educational Project, was started by Des Moines millionaire Ted Townsend. It would build a huge rainforest on a 30-acre site near Iowa City. It's designed to be a tourist attraction and an educational facility.

more: http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/11/06/forest/

I would bet that there are a ton more little pet projects put in this for reluctant senate republicans to assure passage the corporate giveaways in the rest of the attrocious energy bill.

If you missed it earlier today it was announced that the senate democrats are seriously considering filibustering the energy bill. I SAY GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!! This is not legislation that will easily be turned back once enacted.

[Don_G]

1. Just Taking A Quick Look At It

It is loaded with 300+ amendments including: gas pipeline subsidies for Alaskan natural gas, $10 Billion or so in tax credits for the energy industries, limited liability in case of a nuclear accident and treats nuclear power as a "renewable" resource.

It's the first step toward a dead, brown planet.

[dusty64]

2. Kick.

x

[TexasPatriot]

3. hrm...

$70m for 30 acres of rainforest in Iowa...
or $3000 for 30 acres of rainforest in central america.

to all of you who've donated to a dem campaign - all the energy you put into collecting money, coaxing people into getting out their wallets, etc... have we raised, in total, $70m?

i love the rainforest - don't get me wrong - but i love the rainforest IN the rainforest. You might say I'm a rainforest segregationist. I really hate stories like this.