Merkley to outline plan for cutting oil demand

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill and looming Senate energy debate are starting to bring Capitol Hill energy proposals out of the woodwork.

On Monday, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) plans to outline a proposal to curb oil demand in a speech before the Center for American Progress, a prominent liberal think tank.

Merkley is working on legislation that could become a rallying point for environmentalists. “It will be a strong bill,” said one environmental lobbyist.

A spokeswoman for Merkley — who was in the Gulf Coast on Friday with several other senators to see the BP spill’s effect — confirmed he is working on a bill to reduce oil use but declined to provide further information.