House Passes Flimsy Energy Bill Before Break

from National Public Radio

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives pass an energy bill before heading off on their month-long break on Saturday. Democratic leaders hailed it as an environmental victory, but they'll probably have to make plenty of compromises before sending a final bill to President Bush this fall. The bill requires most utilities to produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar power, and boosts incentives for alternative fuels.

Another bill repeals $16 billion in tax breaks for the oil industry.

But these measures may not make it past the House-Senate conference committee this fall. The utilities industry is already warning it would bring big rate increases to electricity customers.

When Congress reconvenes, it's also going to have to battle a contentious energy issue that got no mention in the House bill: fuel efficiency standards for vehicles. The Senate version of the energy bill requires cars and light trucks to achieve an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

Democratic leaders didn't even try to get that measure past the House. But they say if the final bill contains both the renewable electricity standard and the fuel efficiency mandate, it will be the most significant energy legislation ever enacted.

Broadcast Dates

• Morning Edition, August 6, 2007