Energy Bill Debate Tuesday, Kerry/Jeffords Sponsor Energy Amendment

Energy Bill Debate Set for Tuesday, Kerry/Jeffords to Sponsor Energy Amendment
13 June 2005


The Energy Bill debate is set for tomorrow. Marketwatch reported today that “Democratic lawmakers on Monday described the 768-page energy bill, hammered out in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, as a "very good bill," but added that they will try to add several provisions likely be opposed by a some Republicans.” It appears that Democrats will be offering some amendments including one from John Kerry and Jim Jeffords.

Democrats hope to add caps on pollution to the final legislation and also to address global warming, increase the amount of electricity produced from renewable energy sources and reduce U.S. oil imports.

"The bipartisan bill coming to the Senate is much better" than previous versions, said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., at a press briefing.

But Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said: "I hope the U.S. Senate will go even further." Dorgan is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Democrats are expected to press for a greater reliance on renewable fuels, requiring electric utilities to generate 10% of their power from resources like the wind and sun. A second amendment to be offered by Senators Jim Jeffords, I-Vt., and John Kerry, D-Mass., would force utilities to produce 20% of their electricity from renewable resources.

MINKS & TWO ACTION ALERTS - http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=1074

Requiring electric companies to generate power from renewable energy is good, but I'd like to know what they define renewable energy as. Wind, sun are good, but I wouldn't classify Nuclear that way and some Rethugs might.

I wonder if the bill adresses CAFE standards. Increasing Fuel Economy by just a couple miles per gallon helps out a lot.

The thought of building more Nukes horrifies me. Why isn't anyone talking about this?

I am troubled on hydro electric because it doesn't put out much waste, but it does have an impact on the environment.

He discusses Hydroelectric energy in the book, as well with other renewable energy sources. He says the really good places to set up Hydroelectric in the country are already taken. The plaeces that could be set up are smaller and won't produce as much energy as say, the Hoover Dam. However, there are enough smaller areas that could be set up for Hydroelectric that our energy coming from Hydro would double. He gave specific % in the book, but I can't remember them.