Today the House of Representatives will take up H.R. 6, the long awaited energy bill. The bill contains many of the priorities of the Democratic majority, including an increase in fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks, an increase in the nation’s renewable fuel standards, a new renewable portfolio standard for the nation’s utilities, incentives for hybrids, and many other items designed to conserve energy. Speaker Pelosi’s Fact Sheet on the bill describes it as an “historic step” that will “strengthen national security” and “reduce global warming.”

While it is largely assumed that Speaker Pelosi has the votes to pass this through the House, it will be interesting to see which Democrats vote no. Oil patch Democrats, such as Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), have announced that they are uncomfortable with the bill. The renewable portfolio standard for utilities poses problems for those Democrats who represent states with limited renewable resources, many in the south. The Senate probably poses the biggest hurdle; there southern Senators could block the bill. Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) is less than pleased with how the negotiations for the bill proceeded and he could round up enough votes to keep the bill off the floor.

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