Senate Committee Passes Aggressive Electric-Car Legislation
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
Zero Emissions by 2030? | Photo Credit: AutoNews.com
Legislation approved by a Senate committee earlier today could put millions of electric-powered cars and trucks on the road, significantly reducing the United States’ dependence on foreign oil, as well as dramatically lowering carbon emissions.
The legislation, which was passed by a 19-4 vote, was one of several bills cleared by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It’s possible that all the bills might be combined into a broad energy and climate bill supported by Senate Democrats.
This bill, however, would provide roughly $3.9 billion over ten years to be used by select communities in order to construct the infrastructure needed to charge electric cars, conduct research, and offer incentives to consumers who buy plug-in cars, with the ultimate goal being to put America on track to electrify half of the countries vehicles by the year 2030, which would result in a one-third reduction in oil demand.
Senator Byron Dorgan, the bill’s main sponsor, told the press, “Passing this legislation will strengthen our national security and improve the air we breathe, while relying on our abundant and diverse electricity supply to fuel our cars.”
A bill like this, which addresses both climate change and renewable energy, is a major goal for the Obama administration, which is racing against the lock to accomplish something before Congress recesses in August, and elections occur in November. A new bill that addresses climate change and renewable energy is a key priority for the Obama administration but time is running short on the congressional calendar with a scheduled August recess and congressional elections looming in November.
The chair of the energy panel, Senator Jeff Bingamen, said he wasn’t certain whether or not Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would unveil his overarching energy and climate legislation next week, but says the bill will be in trouble if it isn’t passed by the Senate before the August break.
According to industry authority Automotive News, Bringamen told reporters, “It will be difficult to get a final bill to the president for signature. The earlier that the full Senate would act the better position we’ll be to actually get a bill to the president.”
Congress is scheduled to work through the first or second of week of August, and then recess until after Labor Day in early September. On Tuesday, Senator Reid said he was still trying to bring fellow Democrats to consensus.