Note: This is a guest post by fellow WattHead blogger, Alisha Fowler:
As predicted, the Senate took its second stab at the Energy Bill this morning; the vote was expected to be very close with 60 votes needed to end the cloture vote and move the Energy Bill forward. The Energy Bill currently includes the first overhaul in fuel economy standards in 35 years, a Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), and a $13 billion clean energy tax package that would close corporate loopholes and repeal subsidies for the big oil and gas companies.
The Senate just failed clearing the cloture hurdle by a mere SINGLE VOTE (59-40)!!
Sen. John McCain was the only Senator missing from the vote... even the other presidential hopefuls found time in their busy calendars. It is despicable and horribly irresponsible that forty senators stood behind oil and gas companies this morning, rather than an investment in the future prosperity and sustainability of this country. Coincidently, senators have received over $8 million from big oil and gas over the last four years...
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has since called to bring the bill back for yet another vote this afternoon. Before the vote, however, Reid and the Democratic Majority, having already stripped the bill of RES, must now likely remove the bill's entire clean energy tax package in order for it to pass – even more disappointing!
Reid should NOT just give in to this reckless Minority! This is an opportunity for the Democratic Majority to show some backbone, rather than just roll over and let the tax provisions fall away from an already watered-down bill. The Democrats could actually push back, and force this bill into a filibuster situation, rather than allow an empty compromise -- which is what will happen otherwise. They could force the shameful 40 to do a little more as they continue to stand behind the oil and gas corporations that are preventing us from developing emerging sectors of our economy.
So, does the bill still include anything worthwhile -- if the taxes fall? If Reid moves ahead with what he pledged earlier today, we will lose the tax provisions. The renewable fuels standard (RFS) provision does contain some promising biofuels provisions, including a measure to consider the total global warming pollution generated during biofuel production (rather than just the decrease in oil use), investment in cellulosic ethanol and other environmental protections. The overhaul of the fuel economy standard is also an important step in the right direction. The final bill is still expected to include improved energy efficiency standards for buildings.
Stay tuned for the next vote (or filibuster?)