FYI: Senator Charles Schumer is fighting an eleventh-hour battle to put together enough votes to filibuster the massive energy bill passed by the House yesterday that is now before the Senate. One provision in the bill would relieve manufacturers of MTBE, a fuel additive that has been linked to ground water contamination, of liability for their product’s environmental damage. Several local governments, including both New York City and State, are currently suing MTBE manufacturers. The bill would immediately derail those suits. Senate GOP leaders have vowed to keep the Senate in session through the weekend and into next week if need be in order to pass the bill. [11/19/03]