Because of Hurricane Isabel’s expected track through D.C. today and tomorrow, this Update, sadly, will be the last one this week. The storm has postponed the energy conference staff meetings scheduled for today and Friday. Those meetings have been moved to Monday, Sept. 22. Due to the loss of work days, the committee’s GOP staff intends to double up meetings next week, with the first one on Monday at 10:00 a.m. and a second at 2:00 p.m. On Monday morning, hydrogen and clean coal are the menu choices; in the afternoon, the Alaska natural gasline and nuclear issues will be featured. The meetings will be in Rayburn 2322. Additionally, Republicans have signaled that text for the remaining Tier II issues and (some Tier I issues) will emerge next week from behind closed doors. We wish we could tell you more, but, as was the case with the Cheney Energy Task Force, we’re as much in the dark as you and the American public on how key decisions are being made. # # #