Group of US western Republican senators offer energy legislation as alt to climate bill

In Washington, a group of Western Republican Senators including Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett of Utah, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Mike Crapo of Idaho, David Vitter of Louisiana, Jim Risch of Idaho and Mike Enzi of Wyoming launched the “Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Energy (CARE) Act” as an alternative to climate legislation now heading to the Senate after winning passage in the House. According to Senator Hatch, the bill:

•Establishes a trust fund to promote the development of renewable and alternative energy, paid for by revenues from new oil and gas exploration.
•Eliminates barriers to the expansion of nuclear power production by promoting the recycling of spent fuel and providing incentives for capacity development.
•Authorizes the U.S. Department of Defense to enter into multiyear contracts for procurement of synthetic fuels and repeals section 526 of EISA 2007 to allow the federal government to procure advanced alternative fuels.
•Extends tax incentives for alternative fuel and for new plug-in vehicles.
•Prevents the misuse of the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act for regulating greenhouse gases.
•Establishes an Alaska Offshore Continental Shelf Coordination Office to streamline the leasing process.
•Makes the mineral management service director a Senate-confirmed position.
•Promotes energy conservation and efficiency through incentives for energy efficient homes and buildings .

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