Hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged oil and gas facilities throughout the Gulf of Mexico region, exacerbating the nation's energy problems. Since 1999 world oil prices have doubled and the U.S. cost of natural gas has tripled. In response, the Bush administration is pressing for increased domestic oil and gas production, and Congress is considering expanding energy development in areas currently off-limits, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore oil fields. The administration already has relaxed limits on energy exploration on public lands and supports building new refineries and gas-delivery systems. Opponents say such actions could cause serious environmental damage and that states should have more control over energy development decisions. Environmentalists say relying more on conservation and renewable fuels would foster greater energy security.

Jennifer Weeks is a freelance writer in Watertown, Mass., who specializes in energy and environmental issues. She has written for The Washington Post, The Boston Globe Magazine, Environment, On Earth and other publications, and spent 15 years as a congressional staffer, lobbyist and public policy analyst. She holds a B.A. from Williams College and master's degrees from the University of North Carolina and Harvard University.