Focus energy bill on conservation, research

Beware of mischief that could weaken environmental benefits.

Brace yourselves, everyone: Congress is gearing up to write new energy legislation. Historically, such efforts have been less about a sensible national energy policy and more about tax breaks for Big Oil.

The last major energy bill, in 2005, produced some benefits, particularly for Iowa, by mandating greater use of ethanol and extending tax credits for energy production from such alternative sources as wind, biomass and animal waste. But it also lavished tax breaks on the oil and gas industry during times of record profits.


It did much too little to address the two great dictates of a forward-looking energy policy: (1) Encourage conservation, to stretch finite world oil supplies and reduce emission of global-warming gases. (2) Invest in education and research to ensure the United States remains the leader in energy technologies as the world shifts from petroleum to cleaner, renewable fuels.

Those should be the guiding principles as lawmakers buckle down to work this week. Floor action on a comprehensive Senate bill (S. 1419) is expected, and the House is scheduled to take up portions of its bill, too. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pledged adoption of a bill by July 4, to celebrate the holiday as “Energy Independence Day.”

Des Moines Register