Energy Bill Advances in Senate

On June 17, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee agreed by a 15-8 bipartisan vote to approve energy legislation that includes a renewable electricity standard of 15 percent by 2021 and would allow oil and gas companies to drill in large parts of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The bill would also create a “clean energy” finance agency that would administer subsidized loans and loan guarantees to new energy projects, including nuclear energy. There are also stronger energy efficiency standards for buildings and expanded authority to federal regulators over the national electricity grid. Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) said the bill would “help shift our country to cleaner sources of energy and more secure sources as well.” The bill includes six titles having undergone eleven markup sessions, with 218 amendments considered and 100 adopted. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said he hopes to take up energy legislation after the August recess.

For additional information see:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/17/AR200906...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124528596454025839.html
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iSfNc4aj8v8yxY2v98VDZN...
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE55G3S420090617
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/06/17/17greenwire-senate-committee-app...