Back in this country, The House of Representatives is prepared to pass a $8 billion energy bill. The legislation will do little to rein in rising gas prices but it is expected to save oil companies billions of dollars by shielding them from costly lawsuits. The legislation has a provision that would immediately protect oil companies from lawsuits over the water-polluting gasoline additive MTBE. Major MTBE producers include Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips. California alone has more than 15,000 sites contaminated with MTBE. One of the main backers of the liability waiver is House Majority Leader Tom Delay of Texas. The Energy Bill would also allow oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the bill is being widely opposed by top state there — including top members of Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Cabinet. They are worried the bill will make it tougher for the state to block offshore oil drilling or the placement of liquefied natural gas terminals.