Green Options

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved by a vote of 15 to 8 a piece of legislation that would open up huge areas of the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere for drilling of oil and natural gas. It also contains requirements for increases in renewable energy generation, and a number of other energy-related measures, but it seems a sad and regressive alternative to Waxman-Markey, which may reach a floor vote in the House by next week.

President Obama has nominated Kathleen Merrigan for deputy secretary of agriculture. Merrigan, helped develop the USDA’s rules on organic food during the Clinton era. Merrigan has been hailed by sustainable agriculture advocates; however, Senate Republicans are concerned with her organic ties.

While solar energy is often touted as a way to avoid fossil fuels, California Senator Dianne Feinstein believes some public lands solar projects in the Mojave Desert need to be reexamined for their potential environmental impact.

The Senate is working on the economic recovery package passed by the House. This is a pivotal opportunity to invest in green projects like public transit and energy efficiency, which will jump-start our economy lay the foundations of a new, clean energy America. 1sky made it easy for you to call Washington–at no cost to you!

Today people representing our interests—but who do not necessarily have paid lobbyists like big oil and the auto manufacturers—get to lobby in Washington, to make a difference. And, ecopreneurs stand to be huge recipients of green jobs policies and legislation. Many of the issues lobbied for today would mean more incentives, funding and support for you.

As part of the Senate’s proposed tax stimulus plan, tax credits of up to $7500 have been included for plug-in electric vehicles! This is huge proposal and signifies the Senate is willing to work with President Obama to wean the United States off its dependency on foreign oil.

The Senate proposal would double the number of cars eligible for the credit, as well as stimulate the economy through sales of plug-in electric hybrid vehicles when they hit the showrooms [...]

The Senate passed a bill on Sunday expanding wilderness protection more than any legislation in the past 25 years.

[Creative Commons photo via rjime31]

It’s actually a collection of 160 bills and covers over two million acres in nine states. THe land ranges from the Sierra Nevadas in California to Mount Hood in Oregon and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. It also includes areas in Virginia, Idaho, Michigan, Arkansas, and Utah.

Among the “sweeteners” added to last week’s $700 billion financial bailout was the extension of the Energy Efficient Green Building Tax Deduction.

The Senate is poised to clear legislation to reauthorize Amtrak for the first time since 1997 and renew rail safety programs.

Senator Barbara Boxer called the hearing to explore how the administration has held up with respect to environmental integrity.

Yesterday the U.S. Senate voted to renew a one year extension for renewable energy tax credits worth $18 billion dollars. Absent from the package was a tax credit aimed at helping food giant Tyson and oil giant ConocoPhillips turn a profit by converting fats leftover from Tyson’s processing of beef to the so-called “renewable diesel” that ConocoPhillips blends with regular diesel (for a look at what renewable diesel is, check out Jason Burroughs comment below).

The legislation enacts a $1 per gallon credit for biodiesel production, but the “renewable diesel” made from waste fat, or tallow, would only be eligible for a 50 cent per gallon credit. According to Tyson and ConocoPhillips, without the $1 per gallon credit for making “renewable diesel” from tallow, their proposed project is a no go.