On June 28, the House Energy and Commerce completed action and approved its part of a multi-title energy bill. After 17 hours of deliberation, the Committee approved the package, by a vote to 33 to 21, with three Republicans voting with the Majority.
The bill addressed the following areas of interest to NEPPA members, energy efficiency; smart-electricity grid; DOE loan guarantee program; renewable fuels & infrastructure; advanced battery and plug-in hybrid programs; and energy information enhancement. (To review the committee print, and a section-by-section explanation, please clink on the following link: Energy and Commerce
At the beginning of the two-day markup, Chairman John Dingell's (D-MI) told committee members that he plans to address a number of contentious issues -- such as vehicle fuel efficiency standards (i.e. CAFE), a federal renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and funding to advance coal-to-liquids (CTL) technology -- in the Fall, when the Committee considers a comprehensive climate initiative.
Dingell said that, he and Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-VA) plan to craft a "cap-n-trade" bill that would "require a reduction in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions of between 60, and perhaps as much as 80, percent by 2050." He said the committee would also discuss large-scale expansion of alternate energy sources, the roles of coal and nuclear power, auto fuel efficiency, carbon sequestration and the "responsibilities" of local, state and federal governments in dealing with climate.