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Congress approves new energy plan

Progress made, but critical provisions omitted

UPDATE:

While applauding Congress passing the first increase in fuel efficiency for cars in 30 years,  Environment America pledges to keep up the fight to put this country on track to get more of our energy from clean, home grown renewable sources.

ORIGINAL:

In the face of a veto threat from the president and strong opposition from oil and gas interests, the House passed a visionary energy bill on Dec. 6. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to keep important provisions in the bill it passed on Dec. 14. In the weeks and months leading up to the energy bill’s final votes, we pushed especially hard for two provisions: one that requires utilities to get 15 percent of their electricity from wind, solar, energy efficiency or other clean, renewable energy sources; and a second that requires automakers to meet increased gas mileage standards for the first time in 20 years. The bill that heads to the president’s desk as we go to print includes the increase in miles per gallon, but not the renewable electricity standard.

“These are strong and critical steps toward a new energy future,” said Margie Alt, Environment America’s executive director. “We still have a long way to go before we’re on the path to sustainability, but this is positive news for clean energy and will help stop global warming. We’re also hoping that we’ll make real progress on renewables and efficiency too.”

Report: “Clean Energy Stars”

Environment America’s research made the case for strong action on clean energy. On Nov. 14, we published “America’s Clean Energy Stars,” a report that ranked states as “gold stars,” “silver stars” or “rising stars,” according to the strength and variety of their energy policies.

“These state policies are lighting the way for our national leaders,” said Anna Aurilio, director of Environment America’s Washington, D.C., office. “As we met with members of Congress last fall, the fact that so many states have embraced clean energy bolstered their confidence in taking action on the federal level.”

Our advocates released the report at news conferences in 19 states. In Washington, D.C., Rep. Ed Markey (Mass.), Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, joined us in releasing the report. Governors in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland and Wisconsin supported our call to Congress to follow the lead of their states on clean energy.

“The energy challenge facing America demands bold action at every level. Here in Maine, we have begun to take action,” said Maine’s Gov. John Baldacci. 

States have acted to promote renewable energy. Now Congress must follow their lead.