National Renewables Portfolio Makes It into Energy Bill

The U.S. Senate agreed, on a 52-48 vote, to require the national energy portfolio to include 10 percent renewable power by 2020. The amendment to the energy bill, authored by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico), would allow the mandate to be met by new and existing renewable energy, as well as energy credits. It would not supersede California?s more stringent requirement. The Senate rejected an amendment that called for a 40 percent reduction in oil imports in 20 years. The amendment, by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), was an attempt to enhance national security by reducing dependence on foreign oil. ?Her goal is like putting a man on Mars,? countered Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee). The amendment was defeated 53-47. The federal Office of Management and Budget reported this week that the cost of the energy bill is of concern. The bill?s loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants as well as other subsidies could exceed budgetary limits. The president said he supports the energy bill?s current language to extend the Energy Star program in a speech June 15. In the talk, delivered to the Energy Efficiency Forum, President Bush reiterated his support for new coal technology research and federal authority over liquefied natural gas terminal siting. The full Senate continues to consider the energy bill, HR 6, in a debate that will likely continue through next week. Much of the discussion this week centered on offshore oil-drilling bans and the use of ethanol in gasoline.

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National Renewables Portfolio Makes It into Energy Bill

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