On June 12, U.S. House Republicans failed to revoke the lighting efficiency restrictions mandated by the 2007 law, The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, or HR 6. This law would phase out incandescent bulbs, and is one that Republicans themselves sponsored. (more…)

Recently, there has been some momentum behind energy efficiency legislation, both in the House and the Senate.  There is the Shaheen-Portman ESICA bill, an energy efficiency only bill; Conrad’s FUEL Act, a broader energy bill; Lugar is prepping an energy bill that incorporates strong energy efficiency language; (more…)

Yesterday, Senator Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) introduced a "comprehensive energy bill" entitled the "Fulfilling U.S. Energy Leadership Act" or "FUEL."  The bill is available for download here. 

According to his press release:

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All Americans should be aware of what’s happening in Washington in this critically important area that affects every one of us. Earlier this week, 48 Senators, including three Democrats and all but two Senate Republicans voted to defeat a bill that would have ended tax breaks for the five biggest oil companies. (more…)

Democrats renewed their push to cut oil subsidies this week, saying high gasoline prices and big revenues for oil and gas companies make this as good a time as any to eliminate billions in annual tax incentives to the industry. Republicans countered that higher taxes on oil companies would only mean higher prices for consumers.

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Considering the pitiful nature of the American home financing system, with its systematic ignoring of key fiscal issues like location and energy efficiency, perhaps it is time for Congress to have some P.I.T.I.E. on us.

The Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (or, voila, (more…)

Help New York go solar! Tell your state lawmakers that you support the Solar Jobs Act today — S.4178 & A.5713 (View bill text here)

With rising electricity needs, plenty of sunshine, and a local workforce primed for green jobs, New York has what it takes to lead the new solar economy. But (more…)

Despite soaring rhetoric and some promising proposals, President Obama is repeating the same mistakes that have doomed U.S. energy policy to failure for 40 years. Until Obama and Congress finally put a true price on the fossil fuels America consumes, the U.S. will continue its addiction to foreign oil and domestic coal. (more…)

“We the undersigned residents of the District of Columbia urge our City Council to pass the Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011 to help put more solar on the rooftops of our home city. Let’s build DC solar to create jobs, grow DC businesses and protect the environment.” (more…)

The United States is at a precipice with respect to public motivators for the green economy. Essentially, the carrot of public incentives or investment and the stick of potential mandatory regulation of carbon emissions are slated for elimination at the same time. 

Although we cannot know what this two part (more…)