Senate energy package offers weak attempt at compromise

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee released the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (Alas.) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (Wash.) have negotiated for months on a package that includes five overarching topics: efficiency, infrastructure, supply, accountability and conservation reauthorization. Earlier this week the House released a print which will serve as the basis for its energy bill.

Friends of the Earth Climate and Energy Campaigner Kate DeAngelis offers the following statement in response:

How can you modernize energy policy without making a single mention of wind or solar? This bill fails to set us on the right path to transition to clean, renewable energy. While making some progress in encouraging efficiency, it also continues this Congress’ attempts to promote climate-disrupting policies, such as expediting the approval of liquefied natural gas exports.This bill offers almost nothing positive and it is sure to become a vehicle for anti-environmental senators to provide more giveaways to the fossil fuel industry. We cannot afford to allow a Congress controlled by climate deniers dictate our long term energy future.

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Expert contact: Kate DeAngelis, (202) 222-0747, [email protected]
Communications contact: Kate Colwell, (202) 222-0744, [email protected]