Federal Energy Bill Stalls In Senate

The Hill reports:

The Senate Friday voted against taking up the energy bill approved by the House earlier this week, making it likely that some provisions in the House bill will have to be stripped in order for Congress to complete a final energy package.

In a 53 to 42 vote, the Senate rejected a motion by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to invoke cloture on the House energy bill, which could have led to a vote on the package itself.

Immediately after the vote several senators rose to say they would work to seek a compromise, including Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), the top Republican on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He said Friday’s vote marked the beginning of a process to complete work on an energy package in this Congress.

The Washington Post has the AP report up.

Those tracking the legislation expect the Senate to dismantle or discard the renewable portfolio standard and renewable energy tax package in the House version.