Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Tuesday he has drafted an energy bill including provisions on clean-up in the Gulf and prevention of further offshore drilling mishaps - along with alternative energy and conservation incentives. Reid says his focus is on pollution - not cap and trade - and that means focusing on utilities. Reid expects to get the draft on the Senate floor by the 26th of this month - even though Senate Democrats haven’t resolved how to address this pollution reduction issue. The Senate isn’t expected to pass the comprehensive cap and trade provision passed in a House bill last year.

More Energy Legislation

A measure introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Tim Johnson of South Dakota could become part of the energy bill Democratic leaders are working on. Klobuchar believes strong biofuels provisions should be part of a revamped energy bill. The bill she has introduced with Johnson - the Securing America‘s Future with Energy and Sustainable Technologies - or SAFEST - Act would provide long-term incentives for the development of renewable fuels, renewable electricity and increased energy efficiency. It would - among other things - establish a renewable electricity standard of 25-percent renewable energy by 2025 - include a long-term extension of tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel - establish a tax credit for blender pumps - and establish requirements for auto manufacturers to produce vehicles that utilize technologies and fuels that reduce direct fossil fuel consumption.

According to Klobuchar - the strength of the nation is tied to the strength of the energy economy. She says the U.S. has the ability to be the global leader in energy due to the ingenuity of American farmers and manufacturers. This bill - she says - would provide incentives that can boost the economy and help the nation secure its energy future. Klobuchar says the measure would not only reduce the nation‘s dependence on foreign oil - but would have a positive economic impact.

The measure is endorsed by several groups including Growth Energy, National Farmers Union and the National Corn Growers Association.