From Hill Heat:
Yesterday, Speaker Pelosi set the agenda for her energy independence initiative.
The legislative package will be introduced to the floor this week in two parts:
- the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (HR 2776)
- the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act (HR 3221)
HR 2776 provides tax incentives for renewable electricity production, biofuels, efficient appliances, plug-in hybrids, and renewable energy bonds.
HR 3221 is a wide-ranging omnibus, covering green jobs, foreign trade, small business, science and technology research, biofuels, making the federal government carbon-neutral, funding renewable energy and carbon sequestration, efficiency measures, support for a "smart" energy grid, and plug-in hybrids.
The package does not include a Renewable Energy Standard, CAFE Standard, or a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard.
TIMELINE
The announced timeline is that all amendments -- such as a Federal Renewable Energy Standard or increased CAFE standards must be submitted by tomorrow, and the Rules Committee will announce the debate schedule on Thursday.
After the amendment process and ratification, the package will then go into conference to be reconciled with the Senate energy bill, SA 1502, passed mid-June.
ANALYSIS
Here is what the Union of Concerned Scientists has to say:
A sound energy bill must contain:
- The Fuel Economy Reform Act (H.R. 1506). The Senate's 35 mile per gallon average fuel economy standard for cars and trucks by 2020 could be undermined by unneeded loopholes. The House should lock in this target and reject any weaker standards.
- A renewable energy standard (H.R. 969) that requires 20 percent of our electricity come from clean, renewable sources by 2020, saving consumers billions on their utility bills.
- A low-carbon fuel standard that measures the environmental and health effects of all alternative fuels and ensures they contribute to reducing global warming pollution.
A strong Energy Bill is a needed first step toward ensuring an economy-wide cut in global warming pollution of at least 80 percent by mid century--the goal we need to reach in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
Again, the energy bill as submitted contains none of these provisions.
ACTION
You can use the UCS site to send a message to your representative, though calling with the above checklist would be a better idea.
Right now the House bill does not contain fuel economy standards or a renewable energy standard.