Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), has scheduled a mark-up on Wednesday, May 2 on the following four energy-related bills:
- S. 731, requiring DOE to conduct a study on the potential for underground CO2 storage in the United States;
- S. 962, enhancing the current R&D program at DOE on carbon capture technologies;
- S. 1115, streamlining the process for adopting "consensus" efficiency standards for appliances and other products, and building upon some of the work already done in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and;
- S. 987, encouraging the enhancement of biofuels.
The Chairman plans to "bundle" all four bills together and consider amendments at tomorrow's mark-up. In addition, Bingaman has decided to hold off on offering his federal renewable portfolio standard legislation (which is expected to require 15% renewables by 2020) as an amendment in Committee, and instead will do so when the bill moves to the Senate floor expected to be later this month.
In a separate but related matter, the Senate Finance Committee, which held a hearing on Monday on alternative fuel vehicles, is not expected to mark-up an energy package until mid-June. The Committee originally hopes to complete action in May. Morgan Meguire will keep you informed as this legislation moves forward in the Senate.