After failing to pass a second procedural vote on the proposed energy bill Thursday, Senate Democratic leaders removed the last contentious measure–a tax package including production credits for renewable energy and reduced tax breaks for big oil companies–and passed the bill late in the day by a vote of 86 to 8.
The earlier procedural vote fell one vote short of the 60 needed to invoke cloture, which would have restricted debate on the bill, avoiding a possible Republican filibuster. Interestingly, the only Senator who did not submit a vote was Republican presidential candidate John McCain–the only Republican candidate with a track record for supporting and developing initiatives to combat global warming.
In the end, however, the revised bill, which still needs to be approved by the House, has a much greater chance of becoming law and increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard for the first time since 1975.
After the Senate approved the bill late in the day, the White House announced President Bush would sign the bill, if it arrives at his desk as-is. The House is expected to vote on the bill next week.
The modified bill will raise fuel efficiency for cars and trucks by 40% to an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Researchers say this will cut U.S. oil demand by 1.1 million barrels a day.
In addition, the bill mandates a fivefold increase in renewable motor fuels like ethanol, calling for 36 billion gallons a year by 2022.
Passage of the bill is bitter sweet for environmentalists and Senate Democrats, who believe that big oil companies should not receive federal tax breaks, especially considering the nations agreed-upon "addiction" to oil.
"With $90-a-barrel oil, why in the world do they need a federal subsidy?" said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Richard Durbin. "The oil companies now are celebrating in their boardrooms."
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