Movement on Energy Bill Compromise:

According to a report in the National Journal’s subscription-only Congress Daily, Congress is nearing a compromise to resolve the differences between the Senate (HR 6) and House (HR 3221) versions of the comprehensive energy package. Major sticking points have been CAFE standards, renewable fuels mandate, a federal renewable energy standard, and renewable energy tax incentives (the renewable production tax credit (PTC)).

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The draft compromise, according to Congress Daily and Hill Heat sources, incorporates suggestions from Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.)’s November 13 letter to Speaker Pelosi.

CAFE

• By 2020, 35 mpg average standard for cars, light trucks and SUVs (in line with HR 6)
• Separate fuel-economy standards for cars and trucks
• Distinctions between domestic and foreign-made vehicles in standards

Renewable Fuels Mandate

• By 2015, required production of 20.5 billion gallons of renewable fuels, with as much as 15 billion gallons coming from corn-based ethanol (HR 6 had 36 billion by 2022)
• By 2015, required production of 5.5 billion gallons of advanced biofuels—fuel not derived from sugar or starch and that can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions in half
• National Academy of Sciences study within 18 months of mandate impact, followed by periodic reviews authorized by the Clean Air Act of technologies and the feasibility of complying with the mandate

PTC

• According to Hill Heat sources, the extension of the PTC is likely, though perhaps for as little as one year.

Holy crap. I can only hope that the actual compromise that emerges on this bill doesn’t have some of this garbage. Only 35 MPG by 2020? Separate CAFE standards for domestics vs. imported cars? A PTC extension for possibly only a single year?

If it indeed turns out that this is the best these morons can do, then a lot of us here in the US need to march to the ballot box next November and elect some representatives with working brains. And, where needed, get involved before that in the primaries.

This just makes me want to scream…