Real Energy Bills Pass the House

H.R. 2776, The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act was passed in the House in a rare Sunday session. The vote was 215 - 191 with five Democrats and all Republicans voting nay. Link to roll call. Next step the Senate.

Key provisions of H.R. 2776:

• Extends through 2012 the tax credit for the pro more...duction of electricity from renewable resources (e.g., wind, closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal energy, small irrigation power, municipal solid waste, and qualified hydropower).


• Allows a new tax credit for the production of qualified plug-in hybrid motor vehicles. Defines "qualified plug-in hybrid vehicle" as a motor vehicle weighing less than 14,000 pounds that meets certain emission standards under the Clean Air Act and that is propelled to a significant extent by an electric motor that draws electricity from a rechargeable battery.

H.R. 3221 was re-titled at the last minute, The United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act. (ed. - I have no idea.) It passed on Sunday also on a mostly party line vote, 241 - 171. (Link to roll call.

This bill contained the Udall Renewable Energy Porfolio Standard. Link to bill.

Earlier in the year the Senate had rejected a bill with an RPS provision. So conference committee is where the sausage will finally be made.
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