15 by '20

It's not quite Gore's dream (his ambitious and likely unrealistic goal calls for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2020) but it's a start and a welcome change from the shouts* of Drill here, Drill there, Drill now echoing around in the media lately!

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a wide-ranging energy bill that will require most utilities to produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar power.

President George W. Bush has vowed to veto the bill because it does nothing to encourage increased domestic production of oil and gas.

...

The utilities provision, the so-called renewable electricity standard amendment, was among the most contested measures in the energy bill. Sponsored by Representative Tom Udall, a Democrat from New Mexico, and several others, it will force utilities to make a significant share of their electricity from solar, wind, geothermal, water and other nonfossil fuel sources, although they can meet part of the requirement through conservation measures. The standard applies only to investor-owned utilities and exempts rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the state of Hawaii from the mandate.

The 786-page House energy bill does not include an increase in fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks that supporters called the single most effective way of cutting oil consumption and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Sponsors vowed to bring it up again when Congress reconvenes in September. The Senate passed energy legislation in June with numerous differences from the House package. The Senate version requires that cars and light trucks sold in the United States achieve a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, or 6.7 liters per 100 kilometers, or 15 kilometers per liter. Democrats said if the bill that emerged from conference contained both the renewable electricity standard and the mandate for higher corporate average fuel economy, it would be the most significant energy legislation ever enacted.

Also this welcome change from the norm (which explains why Bush is going to veto it!):

The bill will repeal a tax break for oil companies from 2004, and another tax break relating to income from foreign oil production. Critics of the two tax breaks called them loopholes that the industry had taken advantage of.

However, I fear this might be a fleeting moment of exuberance for alternative energy enthusiasts. Firstly, right now there are differences in this bill from the one the Senate passed in June.

A bill that has been agreed to in identical form by both bodies becomes the law of the land only after:

1. Presidential approval; or
2. failure by the President to return it with objections to the House in which it originated within 10 days (Sundays excepted) while Congress is in session; or
3. the overriding of a presidential veto by a two- thirds vote in each House.
[Source]

Also, President Bush has said he will veto the H.R. Bill with the renewable energy mandates! So, the final law may not have some of these renewable energy mandates! Oh well... for now, lets keep our chin up and hope for the best!

P.S. Drilling down on McCain, Obama energy plans

P.S. S. Elsewhere, a BBC poll that suggests that people across 19 countries fear energy policies are threatening the environment and global stability.

* I've already blogged about it but yesterday's NYT Editorial adds more commentary on why the Republican choice for VP spells more bad news for alternative energy proponents.

Mr. McCain’s choice of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate raises even more worrisome questions. Her strategy is drill here, drill there, drill now.

She would open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in a heartbeat — something Mr. McCain continues to oppose. She has sued the Bush administration for declaring the polar bear a threatened species, fearing it would interfere with oil exploration in Alaskan waters. She has questioned whether humans are responsible for climate change. Governor Palin’s views are alarmingly out of touch with reality. No less alarming was Mr. McCain’s decision to welcome them into his campaign.