Dingell guards turf on energy

WASHINGTON, July 21 (UPI) -- The struggle over fuel-economy is pitting a powerful U.S. representative from Michigan against the ambitious first female speaker of the House.

Rep. John D. Dingell, D-Mich., is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. First elected to Congress in 1955, Dingell, 81, arguably has pushed through more legislation than any Democrat in the House, The New York Times reported Saturday.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wants a big increase in fuel-economy requirements for cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles. She is finding it difficult, however, to maneuver around Dingell, who wants a smaller increase that would be less painful for Detroit automakers who are his constituents, The Times reported.

Dingell's voice has become frail and his hands often shake uncontrollably, but he has not mellowed. In January, when Pelosi created a new committee on energy independence and global warming, Dingell remarked it would be an "embarrassment" and "as useful as feathers on a fish."

Pelosi's hopes of passing an "energy independence" bill have been delayed for weeks, in no small part because of Dingell, The Times reported.