Bush's expected proposals

Highlights of what is expected to be in President George W. Bush's energy task force report to be released Thursday:

Production

• Ease restrictions on oil and gas development on public lands.
• Lift drilling ban in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
• Ease permitting of refinery expansion and construction.
• Speed up license procedures for hydroelectric dams.

Power plants

• Streamline approval process for siting of power plants.
• Allow the federal taking of property through eminent domain for power lines.
• Create tax breaks for developing clean coal technologies.
• Ease regulatory barriers, including clean air rules to make plants more efficient.

Nuclear energy

• Streamline regulations to speed re-licensing of reactors and licensing of new plants.
• Speed up process to ensure disposal of nuclear waste.
• Create tax breaks for purchase of nuclear plants.
• Reauthorize law that limits industry liability from a nuclear accident.

Renewable energy

• Create tax credits to encourage development of energy plants that use organic waste, or biomass.
• Continue tax credits for wind energy generation.
• Create a tax credit of 15 percent for the purchase of solar panels.

Conservation

• Create a tax credit for the purchase of high-mileage, hybrid gas-electric vehicles.
• Give tax benefits and regulatory relief for co-generation plants that produce heat and electricity
• Expand the federal Energy Star program to include not only businesses but also schools, houses and hospitals.

Other

• Review policy of economic sanctions with Iran to foster energy development.
• Spur U.S. participation in Caspian Sea oil and gas development.
• Urge states to end requirement for "boutique" gasoline blends that the industry says contributes to supply shortages and price spikes.

Source: The Associated Press