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Important Senate Energy Developments
On Tuesday evening, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) released a substantially scaled back energy bill. Gone are any provisions that would cap greenhouse gas emissions economy wide or more modest attempts to cap greenhouse gas emissions solely from electric utilities. In its place is a four part energy bill that seeks to make oil and gas exploration companies more accountable for oil spills and boost environmental protections by fully funding the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
More relevant to the propane industry, the Reid draft also includes a section that incentivizes natural gas vehicles and infrastructure at the expense of propane vehicles and another section that would create incentive programs for the installation and/or retrofit of natural gas appliances while ignoring similar opportunities for propane equipment.
Senator Reid has indicated an interest in moving this legislation later this week with an eye toward passage late next week. However, it remains very unclear whether this legislation will draw the 60 votes necessary to pass as Senators in both parties line up to oppose various provisions. If it cannot pass before the August recess, it is possible the matter will be brought up again in September.
Regardless of political and scheduling intricacies, as drafted, the Reid energy bill is unacceptable to the propane industry. In addition to continued and intensified direct lobbying by NPGA staff and the Breaux-Lott lobbying firm, NPGA has launched a national grassroots campaign to expand the above natural gas provisions to also include propane. Visit www.npga.org/EnergyBillGrassroots or contact your state association for more information.
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National Propane Gas Association
1899 L ST, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-466-7200
Fax: 202-466-7205
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