On July 9, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced her intention to bring a broad "energy independence" bill, rather than a series of smaller measures, to the House floor in mid-to-late July.
Prior to the July 4 recess, a number of House committees (see report below on House Energy & Commerce Committee action) completed action on various energy bills, which will now be compiled into the one larger bill, and considered by the full House. Controversial amendments, such as one to establish a federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and increase the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for automobiles, may be considered at that time.
Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM) is leading the effort on the RPS, and plans to offer an amendment that would require utilities to provide 20 percent of their power from renewables by 2020; it currently exempts coops and municipal utilities.
Speaker Pelosi has publicly stated her support for the Senate-passed CAFE legislation that would increase fuel efficiency requirements for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Massachusetts Rep. Markey will be leading the charge on the House floor, and is considering offering more aggressive language than the Senate version. Rep. Markey, however, will encounter strong opposition from House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI), an ally of Detroit automakers, who strongly opposes the Senate plan. Dingell has consistently insisted that CAFE issues be addressed as part of the larger climate change legislation he plans to steer through his committee later this year.
On June 21, the Senate passed its version of an energy bill, (H.R. 6) the Creating Long-Term Energy Alternative for the Nation Act (CLEAN), by a vote of 65-27 (see 6-27-07 NEPPA e-Weekly for details).