Will the Energy Bill Get Dirty? (Part II)

Right now on the Senate floor, senators are debating dueling amendments from Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., on a possible "portfolio standard," which the Apollo Alliance describes as "setting the minimum amount of renewable energy that must be developed by retail electricity vendors each year."

Bingaman's amendment would set a national standard of 15% of our electricity to come from renewable sources -- like wind, solar and geothermal power -- by 2020. 20-25% would be ideal, but 15% is a significant step forward.

Domenici's version sets the standard at 20%, but would count electricity from coal and nuclear. That won't do anything to advance wind, solar and geothermal power and move us towards a clean energy future.

If you want to make your voice heard on this issue, check out this page from the Union of Concerned Scientists (link via Gristmill).

And the fierce Senate floor debating action is live on C-Span 2.

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future