House Passes Energy Bill on Contentious Party-Line Vote

The House of Representatives passed the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act (HR6899) Tuesday night on a mostly party-line vote of 236–189.

The bill authorizes exploration and offshore drilling 50 miles off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, lifting a moratorium in place since 1981. The bill also renews energy tax credits set to expire at the end of the year. Other provisions in the legislation include other incentives for developing clean power and transportation systems, as well as a repeal of some tax breaks for big oil to fund tax credits for plug-in hybrid vehicles, energy efficiency programs, and clean coal.

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