Senate Passes Energy Bill

It is now up to a House-Senate conference committee to iron out differences in the nation’s energy plan.

On Thursday the U.S. Senate passed its version of an energy bill, which will now have to reconciled with the already passed House version.
There are many differences between the two versions. Most notably, the Senate version contains no provision for drilling for oil in the Arctic Wildlife National Refuge as proposed by President Bush, while the House version does. Look for a fight in this compromise legislation, as the President’s backers have promised not to back way from this controversial point.
According to the Washington Post newspaper, the Senate bill calls for incentives and tax breaks to encourage conservation, increased use of alternative fuels, and more domestic production of coal and other traditional energy sources.
The House measure, which contains more Bush administration initiatives, supports increased production of energy from oil, gas, coal and nuclear sources.
At this point a conference committee has yet to schedule its first meeting.