Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation in the 110th Congress

Publication Date: June 2008

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Energy

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Abstract:

This report reviews the status of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation introduced during the 110th Congress. Action has focused on the CLEAN Energy Act (H.R. 6), which passed the House on January 18. The bill proposes to use revenue from certain oil and natural gas policy revisions to create a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve aimed at reducing foreign oil dependence and serving other purposes. The actual uses of the Reserve would be determined by ensuing legislation that would attempt to draw down its financial resources.

The 109th Congress did not complete action on appropriations for FY2007. Federal agencies are currently operating on funding provided by continuing resolution (P.L. 109-383, H.J.Res. 102), which will expire on February 15, 2007. To avoid a shutdown of activities after that date, the 110th Congress would have to pass legislation that would fund these programs through the end of the fiscal year. This legislation could take the form of another continuing resolution or an omnibus appropriations bill.

More than 40 bills on energy efficiency and renewable energy have been introduced so far. About half of these bills are focused on renewable fuels and about one-third would provide a tax incentive for investment, energy production, fuel use, or fuel reduction.

For each bill listed in this report, a brief description and a summary of action are given, including references to committee hearings and reports. Also, a selected list of CRS documents on energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation in the 109th Congress is included. This report will be updated periodically.