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House OKs Renewable Energy Bill

Legislation faces likely presidential veto

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Aug 5, 2007 1:55 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The House passed a broad-based clean energy bill yesterday that redirects $16 billion in tax incentives from big oil and gas companies to renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Democrats hailed the legislation as the first big step toward making the US a more environmentally friendly nation, but Republicans say the bill will increase dependence on foreign oil.

The bill, which faces a likely veto, calls for utility companies to generate 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020 in an effort to reduce CO2 emissions. "This is the historic break with the fossel-fuel past," said Ed Markey. But the bill put off including more controversial measures like tightening auto fuel efficiency standards till later this year.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, and Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., conclude a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, June 1, 2007 where they talked about global warming. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, and Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., conclude a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, June 1, 2007 where they talked about global warming. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Rep. Edward J. Markey (R), D-MA, Chairman of the House Select...
Rep. Edward J. Markey (R), D-MA, Chairman of the House Select...   (Getty Images (by Event))
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)   (Associated Press)
President Bush delivers remarks on energy initiatives, Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Athens, Ala. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
President Bush delivers remarks on energy initiatives, Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Athens, Ala. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)   (Associated Press)
President Bush delivers remarks on energy initiatives, Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Athens, Ala. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
President Bush delivers remarks on energy initiatives, Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Athens, Ala. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)   (Associated Press)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, accompanied by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, June 1, 2007 to discuss global warming. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, accompanied by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, June 1, 2007 to discuss global warming....   (Associated Press)
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The legislation is a jab at Big Oil
Reuters

Oppponents say bill will increase dependence on foreign oil
Los Angeles Times

 
energy • environment • Democratic Congress • environmentalism • fuel efficiency • House of Representatives • solar energy • Ed Markey • carbon emissions

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