"Sweeping Senate Energy Bill Could Come to a Vote This Week"

"Although it lacks climate goals, the bipartisan package would direct billions of dollars toward solar, wind and energy storage."

"The U.S. Senate will consider a bipartisan energy package this week that could be this year’s best legislative hope to increase federal funding for a number of energy technologies, from solar, wind and batteries, to more efficient fossil fuel-fired power and carbon capture.

The American Energy Innovation Act, introduced Thursday by Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, contains nearly 50 energy bills from last year in a sprawling 555-page document. Murkowski, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, called it “our best chance to modernize our nation's energy policies in more than 12 years,” or since the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

The bill contains hundreds of millions of dollars in funding over the coming years to boost research and development for solar and wind power, energy storage, smart grid, electric vehicles and other key clean energy technologies. Manchin, the committee’s ranking Democrat, said it would “make a down payment on emissions-reducing technologies, reassert the United States’ leadership role in global markets, enhance our grid security and protect consumers.”"

Jeff St. John reports for Greentech Media March 2, 2020.

SEE ALSO:

"Senate Prepares To Vote On Big Energy Bill This Week" (Washington Post)

"Lawmakers Clamor To Add Provisions To Fast-Moving Energy Bill" (The Hill)

"Senate: Democrats Demand Amendment Votes on EVs, Superpollutants" (E&E Daily)

Source: Greentech Media, 03/03/2020