House Passes Revolutionary Energy Bill

By a wide margin, the House of Representatives passed an $18 billion renewable energy bill that repeals tax breaks for oil companies.

Among the goals of the 10-year plan:

• New incentives for clean, renewable energy research, development and deployment
• Credits for the purchase of hybrid cars
• Incentives to improve home energy efficiency
• Improvements to appliance efficiency requirements
• Create jobs, possibly numbered in the 10s of thousands.

The bill faces a tougher battle in the Senate. Environmental groups, of course, applauded its passage in the House.

"Consumers are begging for relief and this bill offers some mercy from crippling energy costs. It will save American families money on their energy bills and help make energy efficient appliances, hybrid cars, and efficient homes more affordable for all consumers. This is good for the economy, good for the environment, and is essential now more than ever," said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. "We urge the Senate to take up and pass this measure without delay. We have labored for nearly a year to get this vital legislation passed and will now redouble our efforts to secure the votes necessary to move it through the Senate and on to the President’s desk. In addition to our efforts on Capitol Hill, we have launched a grassroots campaign and will soon begin a series of advertisements in key states across the country."

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