Page:6-00 PM Energy Meeting (11-2-77) - NARA - 142151.tif

 MEMORANDUM

Basically, nothing happened. The chief issue relating to coal conversion has to do with. The Senate would give the President condemnation authority, and a $1.2 billion authorization for impact assistance. The House so far has made no provision for this, but Congressman Staggers, obviously, is interested, as expansion of coal production in West Virginia will create "boom town" problems. The Administration agrees that this is a serious problem. This issue may the the first expensive bargaining chip the conference deals with.

The House Conferees will meet with the Energy Committee and Finance Committee Conferees from the Senate simultaneously—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This will complicate trade-offs, but may be in our favor.

The order for consideration of the energy taxes is good for us: first: gas guzzler; then oil and gas user tax; and finally COET.