Senate Passes Ensign-Cantwell PTC Extension 88-8

Wonk Room — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:53:00 -0500

Yesterday morning, the Senate passed the Ensign-Cantwell clean energy package (S.Amdt 4419) by a vote of 88-8. The package is attached to Sen. Chris Dodd’s (D-Conn.) Foreclosure Prevention Act (S. Amdt 4387 to H.R. 3221), which was approved 84-12.

The future of the energy package now depends on whether the House is willing to consider it a “stimulus” that merits deficit spending.

The eight senators in opposition were Sens. Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bunning (R-Ky.), Byrd (D-W.Va.), Carper (D-Del.), Dodd (D-Conn.), Kyl (R-Ariz.), Sessions (R-Ala.), and Voinovich (R-Ohio). Alexander and Kyl’s alternate version of the package (S. Amdt 4429), which would have extended credits by another year and lowered the wind production credit, died by a 15-79 vote. Dodd had vigorously argued that the renewable tax package was not germane to his housing bill.

Not voting were the three presidential candidates and Sen. Liddy Dole (R-S.C.).

"Senate Passes Ensign-Cantwell PTC Extension 88-8" by http://earthlingangst.blogspot.com

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:43:45 -0500

We badly need to extend tax credits for renewables, though this gets only half the job done. The other half is to take back the tax breaks given to Big Oil. Republicans in the Senate (and the president) just don’t want to do that. So how are we ever going to get a REAL shift to renewable energy?

Hill Heat: Senate Passes Ensign-Cantwell PTC Extension 88-8

Senate Passes Ensign-Cantwell PTC Extension 88-8

"Senate Passes Ensign-Cantwell PTC Extension 88-8" by http://earthlingangst.blogspot.com