Chevron has joined such luminaries as Enron as a significant contributor to national energy policy. Among the roughly 1,500 additional documents from the Energy Department related to Vice President Cheney's energy task force, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) has uncovered evidence showing the Bush administration implemented energy policies requested by Chevron Corporation. The company provided several recommendations, ranging from easing federal permitting rules for energy projects to relaxing standards fuel supply requirements, which ultimately were included in the president's national energy plan.

NRDC unexpectedly received these documents 41 days after the final court deadline for their release. According to Sharon Buccino, NRDC senior attorney, "The administration has unlawfully delayed the release of some of the most embarrassing evidence of industry involvement in the Bush energy plan."

In a February 5, 2002, letter to President George Bush and copied to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Chevron CEO David J. O'Reilly recommends four short-term actions the administration should take to "eliminate federal barriers to increased energy supplies." The energy task force - officially known as the National Energy Policy Development Group (NEPDG) - included Chevron's recommendations in its report to President Bush on May 17, 2001. A full description may be found at http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/05.23Aa.Chevron.Letters.htm, and the actual letters may be found at http://www.truthout.org/mm_01/4.NRDC.Chevron.Letter.pdf