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Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources completed work on the American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA), passing it by a vote of 15-8.  The approved bill is a compilation of 6 major bipartisan bills, along with 5 other bills sponsored by either party.  The bill addresses financing for clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, offshore oil and gas drilling, market manipulation and research and development funding.

The Committee finished the bill’s final amendments today, continuing its work from yesterday’s mark-up. Yesterday, the Committee debated a series of amendments including an amendment on nuclear power which included a Sense of Congress supporting the strategic role of nuclear energy and made changes to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 regarding the reprocessing of nuclear waste.  The amendment was adopted en bloc with six others by voice vote. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) voiced his opposition to the nuclear amendment.  Senator Sanders also discussed and withdrew an amendment relating to carbon capture and storage and liability, however he along with Senator Corker (R-TN) expressed their concerns over this issue and assured that they would continue this debate on the floor.

Also during yesterday’s mark-up Chairman Bingaman (D-NM) offered an amendment ending deep water and deep gas royalty relief which succeeded by a vote of 12-11.  Senator Cantwell spoke in favor of the amendment, noting that the system is broken.

It is unclear when the bill will come to the floor and if it will be part of larger energy and climate legislation once other committees have acted.  While there are some positive things in the bill we continue to have significant concerns with many provisions, including the energy financing mechanisms.  TCS will continue to closely monitor and produce analyses on the bill’s provisions as it continues through the Senate.

Senators voting for the bill:
Bingaman (D-NM), Dorgan (D-ND), Wyden (D-OR), Johnson (D-SD), Cantwell (D-WA), Lincoln (D-AR), Sanders (I-VT), Bayh (D-IN), Stabenow (D-MI), Udall (D-CO), Shaheen (D-NH), Murkowski (R-AK), Brownback (R-KS), Sessions (R-AL), Corker (R-TN)

Senators votes against the bill:
Landrieu (D-AR), Menendez (D-NJ), Burr (R-NC), Barrasso (R-WY),Risch (R-ID), McCain (R-AZ), Bennett (R-UT), Bunning (R-KY)