Industry wins, loses in House bill. (omnibus energy bill passes minus controversial provision mandating set-asides for Strategic Petroleum Reserve)

The House of Representatives has approved a plan to limit U.S. gas prorationing by the states but rejected a move to require petroleum refiners and importers to place 1% of their oil or products volumes into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

The oil industry lobbied heavily against the SPR provision, which went down 263-135.

The House then passed its omnibus energy bill 381-37. It is designed to facilitate all types of energy production while promoting conservation.

The legislation also imposes bans on offshore leasing but gives independent producers limited relief from the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and does not include a mandate for use of ethanol in gasoline.

Linda Stuntz, acting deputy energy secretary, said "the bill is by no means perfect" but if the House-Senate conference committee moderates some provisions in the House measure, "we can see a path that would enable the administration to accept the bill."

Prorationing amendment

The House voted 238-169 to restrict states' natural gas prorating rules. The amendment was a response to actions by Oklahoma and …