The energy bill passed without a flutter in the House on Wednesday, and then again on for final vote on Thursday. The vote was 136-2 on Wednesday. By Thursday, the opposition was down to 1.

Members of the House Natural Resources Committee were proud of their ability to win such broad-based support. They give a lot of credit to their chairman, Robert Dostis.

Thursday, they showed that big bestowing him with a trophy. One of those big, gaudy trophies you might win for taking the bowling championship or hauling in the largest bass.

He can take that trophy with him to the conference committee as the House and Senate hash out their differences over the bill, but it might not impress senators who think Dostis gave up too much to win over opponents.

Senators will fight to put the details of the energy-efficiency program in the hands of the Public Service Board instead of the Public Service Department, as they tend not to trust the department entirely.

Dostis is ready with his defense: The department designs the program and the board has authority over what the department does.

- Terri Hallenbeck