Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed an energy bill that lifts a ban on offshore drilling for oil and gas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
The bill, which passed by a vote of 236 to 189, also includes a one-year renewable tax credit extension for wind power and an eight-year extension for solar power. The bill also repeals some tax breaks for large oil companies.
Even though the bill passed in the house, it’s chance of becoming law are far from sure. Republicans said the bill does not do enough to encourage oil and gas exploration and is too limiting in the areas opened to drilling.
Democrats, who resisted lifting the ban until a recent shift in public opinion, crafted a compromise that allows unrestricted exploration beyond 100 miles from shore. From 50 miles to 100 miles from shore, states will have the choice to allow or disallow drilling. No drilling will be allowed within 50 miles of shore.
Environmentalists blasted the bill, saying it does nothing to protect the environment and allows for destructive oil shale development in Western states.
"As it stands, the clean energy provisions in this bill are dwarfed by the push for outdated, dirty and expensive energy," said Natural Resources Defense Council President Frances Beinecke.
The White House has threatened to veto the bill, even though the administration has been pushing for offshore drilling and oil shale development.
"At a time when American families are in need of genuine relief from the effects of high fuel prices, this bill purports to open access to American energy sources while in reality taking actions to stifle development," the White House said in a statement.
Democrats said the bill is a fair compromise opening from 319 to 404 million acres to exploration.
"This legislation is a result of reasonable compromise that will put us on a path to energy independence by expanding domestic supply," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The House bill will be sent to the Senate, where legislators are considering several different compromise packages in an attempt to pass something before adjourning on September 26.
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