The American Clean Energy and Security Act, originally penned by Henry Waxman and Ed Markey, went to the House floor in a watered-down version saturated with compromises to lure support from on-the-fence legislators and special interest groups. Even so, the bill only managed to pass with a seven vote margin, 219 in favor to 212 opposed. No doubt about it, the passing of a climate bill by the House of Representatives is an historic occasion worth celebrating. But it also serves as a harsh dose of reality for advocates of strong U.S. climate legislation.

Overshadowed by activity in the House was the recent energy package approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The bill – which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has given a September 18th committee deadline for – is much weaker than its House counterpart and has drawn harsh criticism. A dozen environmental groups have sent a joint letter to the Senate expressing disappointment.

See the links below for more about the Senate energy bill:

Washington Post:
Expansive Energy Bill Advances In Congress
Union of Concerned Scientists:
Senate Energy Committee's Energy Package Misses Opportunity
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy:
Senate Energy Bill Savings Significantly Less Than House Energy Bill
Sierra Club:
Senate Energy Bill Falls Short on Clean Energy, Jobs
Grist:
Enviros Cringe as Senate Committee Approves Energy Bill

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