After 12 weeks of consideration and 20 formal hearings, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to pass The American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA) out of committee and recommend it for consideration to the full senate.  The next step for the legislation is debate by the full senate, which will hopefully take place later this summer.

The bill would do the following:

• Accelerate the introduction of new clean energy technologies in the United States, thus creating new jobs and helping businesses grow through clean energy project financing, a renewable electricity standard and a robust and secure national electricity transmission highway;
• Increase energy efficiency in buildings, major equipment and appliances, saving consumers and businesses billions of dollars on their energy bills;
• Enhance America’s energy independence by increasing clean energy supplies and energy security, including new access to over 20 trillion cubic feet of clean natural gas resources;
• Strengthen America as the world leader in energy innovation, by doubling our national investment in energy research and technology;
• Build a new energy workforce for the future;
• Protect consumers by making energy markets more transparent and fair, and by providing new tools to fight market manipulation; and
• Tackle future energy and climate challenges with smarter, more integrated planning.

Alternatively, you can read a full summary detailing the provisions of the legislation.