WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Democrats have released their long-awaited energy bill which includes significant support for renewable energy. It also includes a provision supporting the 13 SEER standard for central air conditioners. The bill leaves out oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which was a key measure of the House energy bill and President Bush's national energy policy. Instead, it calls for construction of an Alaskan natural gas pipeline. It also repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA) which is the only federal legislation limiting the ability of utility holding companies to cross-subsidize affiliate operations.

Publication date: 12/10/2001