The soon to be introduced, 1,700 page bill will attempt to address many of America's most pressing -- and controversial -- energy issues, including shoring-up and safeguarding the nation's ageing electrical grid, increasing the use of ethanol in gasoline, constructing an Alaskan natural gas pipeline and offering massive tax breaks to energy producers.
Arctic oil drilling -- SUV fuel efficiency dropped
Notably missing from the bill are two highly contentious provisions that had virtually doomed previous attempts and a Bush national energy policy: opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and gas exploration and increasing federally-mandated fuel efficiency ratings for SUVs - sport utility vehicles.
But debate is still assured
Dropping those two items will not, however, prevent Democrats from raising hearty opposition to many of the bill's remaining provisions.
The House may vote on the bill as early as Tuesday, Nov. 25. The Senate hopes to debate and vote on the bill before Congress is scheduled to adjourn for the year on Friday, Nov. 28.
"Congress has crafted a comprehensive and balanced energy bill that reflects the President’s energy priorities and will be an important investment in ensuring America's energy security and economic vitality. I urge the Congress to pass this energy bill before the end of the year," said Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, in a brief press release.
"Special interests had special access, and the rest of us were left in the dark. ... Republican leaders have once again cooked up an old-fashioned backroom deal to benefit their special interest friends," said House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California), in the San Francisco Chronicle.
"We look forward to seeing the details,'' said Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota), in a press release. "Until then, we'll reserve judgment.''
