RFS
Moves to Full Senate for Approval in Bipartisan Energy Bill Package
(5-26-05)
The Senate
Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s overwhelming approval
today of a bipartisan energy bill that includes an 8-billion-gallon
renewable fuels standard (RFS) by 2012 demonstrates that the political
will exists in Congress to pass an energy bill which will lessen
the nation’s dangerous dependence on foreign oil, said National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Leon Corzine.
The bill passed
by a 21-1 vote one day after the committee adopted the 8-billion-gallon
RFS introduced by Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.). It moves to the full
Senate where Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has told Chairman
Pete Domenici (R-NM) it will have floor time sometime in mid to
late June.
“The committee
has shown a real understanding of the value of domestic, renewable
energy sources when it says the bill will diversify America’s
energy supply, increase conservation and production and employ innovative
technologies to meet America’s energy needs,” Corzine
said. “This is a critical step forward in getting an energy
bill to the president’s desk this year.”
It is expected
most of the contentious issues surrounding energy debate will be
taken up by the Senate including: