No Longer A Climate Bill, Energy Legislation Now Is All About Oil

Senate Democrats on Wednesday unveiled stripped-down energy legislation which no longer directly would tackle climate change. Instead, the bill's primary aim is to reduce U.S. dependence on oil like that which has fouled much of the Gulf of Mexico.

Democrats described it as a clean energy jobs and oil spill accountability plan, which would create clean energy jobs, hold BP accountable for its monster Gulf spill, and invest in cleaner vehicles that do not rely on oil-based fuel.

“There are many ways to end our addiction to oil and this bill is one of them,” says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “This bill creates jobs that can never be outsourced by strengthening companies that make energy efficiency products. It also saves consumers money – about $1 billion a year over the next 10 years – by cutting energy costs and giving them incentives to make their homes more energy efficient. And it changes the law to make it crystal clear that polluters – not the taxpayers – are going to be held responsible for cleaning up the Gulf.”

Reid last week announced the new direction Senate energy legislation would take after Democrats could not find enough votes for a more-ambitious bill that directly would limit greenhouse gas emissions through a national cap-and-trade system.

Some senators, including Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) blamed Republicans, none of whom stepped up to publicly support a climate bill. Some Democrats, however, have refused to back the climate bill already put forward by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.). Among those holdouts is Stabenow's home-state colleague, Sen. Carl Levin, who publicly opposed the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act.

“While the GOP stands in the way of a comprehensive energy package, we must move forward to create jobs and hold BP accountable,” Stabenow says of the new legislation. “This bill will help protect our environment and invest in the development of alternative energy jobs and technology. The Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Accountability Act is an important step to reduce American dependence on oil and lower energy costs through programs like Home Star. It will also hold BP responsible for the devastation it has caused in the Gulf region. I am committed to passing this legislation because it will create good-paying clean energy jobs and lead the way for more comprehensive energy reforms.”



Bill Contains Obama Home Star Program



Home Star refers to a signature initiative of President Obama's which has been included in the Senate bill. Home Star would establish a $6 billion rebate program to encourage Americans to immediately investment in energy-efficient appliances, building mechanical systems and insulation, and whole-home energy efficiency retrofits. It will rapidly create jobs in both construction and manufacturing, while saving families money on their energy bills, supporters say.

Obama traveled to a Home Depot store in Virginia last winter to introduce his Home Star concept, describing insulation as "sexy" because it saves homeowners money.

A broad coalition has formed of environmental groups, the construction industry, and other large businesses, to boost prospects for Home Star to become law.

“The 2,600 members of the HOME STAR Coalition stand together in support of the bi-partisan HOME STAR program, which will deliver a rare triple win for the American people in the form of jobs, savings for consumers, and a positive impact on energy independence and the environment,” says Larry Laseter of WellHome. “Rarely is there an initiative with a near-universal benefit, but that is exactly what we have with the HOME STAR program and we applaud this bi-partisan bill and the Senate leaders for championing this cause.”

Not all are happy with the way the Senate energy bill is turning out, however.

"I am disappointed that because of Republican obstructionism and the need to get 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, the Senate has not been able to go as far as it should in transforming our energy system," says Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a left-leaning independent who caucuses with Democrats. "While the proposed bill offered by Majority Leader Reid contains important provisions, it goes nowhere near far enough."

Sanders is advocating his own bill, which would advance the use of solar power in the United States.

"The United States now has the potential to create millions of jobs by moving away from foreign oil and fossil fuels into energy efficiency and such renewable energy sources as wind, solar geothermal and biomass," he says. "I'm going to do everything I can to fight for my legislation which would move us toward 10 million solar rooftops in 10 years."

Watch more breaking news now on our video feed:

Bookmark http://onthehillblog.blogspot.com/ and drop back in for more news from the nation's capital.