On Friday 3 August, US House members will vote on two legislative proposals which aim at reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil by stimulating the use of renewables. The energy package consists of:

• the House Energy Bill, HR 3221, a nearly 800 pages policy document summarised as ” a bill moving the United States toward greater energy independence
  and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure“
• the House Renewable Energy Tax Bill, HR 2776, a bill providing “tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation“.

One of the main objectives of both proposals is to force US power companies to increase the use of renewables (wind, solar, thermal, biomass) for the production of electricity. Now, only 2.3% of electricity is produced from renewable sources in the US. The Senate recently adopted a proposal that set a 15% target for renewables by 2020. A House amendment would set the target to 20%.

Due to a political compromise, the proposals do NOT include stronger fuel economy standards for cars.

In March 2007, the European Union adopted a renewables target of 20% of all energy consumption by 2020.

Further reading:

• Washington Post: Pelosi Gains Support for Energy Bill
• The Oil Drum: The House is poised to debate and pass an energy bill (with comments)
• New York Times Editorial: An Incomplete Energy Bill

PS: The energy bill was passed on Saturday 4 August. Read what the NY Times and eNews USA wrote about the adoption.

Author : Willy De Backer
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