US VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY FILE PHOTO, 2002-03-25 (photo)

Thousands of documents released under a federal judge's order March 25, 2002 show that Bush administration officials met with numerous utilities and oil companies before unveiling their energy policy plan last year. Democratic lawmakers allege Enron Corp. and other energy companies played a disproportionately large role in the task force's deliberations, whereas environmentalists were largely shut out. The task force, headed by Vice President Dick Cheney, produced a policy favoring more oil and gas grilling as well as a revival of nuclear power. Cheney's office has acknowledged that representatives of Enron, Bush's biggest financial backer in the 2000 campaign, were among industry experts the task force consulted. Dick Cheney answers reporters questions in the Oval Office of the White House in this March 21, 2002 file photo. REUTERS/William Philpott/files ME