Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

Senate Democrats are expected to push amendments to the energy bill that address climate change, a Senate Democratic aide told ME. The amendments include language left out of the bill to strengthen national model building codes that’s from an energy efficiency package put forward by Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.); clean energy tax credits; and to attach legislation from Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and John Neely Kennedy (R-La.), S. 2754 (116) , phasing down the use of hydrofluorocarbons. “Senate Republicans who claim to want to do something about climate change face a big test next week: Will they join Senate Democrats in fighting for and passing bipartisan provisions that will address climate change in a significant way, or will they continue to do Big Oil’s bidding and block any progress?” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.

Both Murkowski and Energy ranking member Joe Manchinalready said they’re expecting to see some amendment vote this week on clean energy tax incentives that could cover topics like electric vehicles, energy storage and other renewable energy credits. The exact form and scope of the amendment are up in the air, but both lawmakers said they would oppose the push as revenue-raising bills must begin in the House. “I’d like to see some of these extenders dealt with, as well, but it cannot be on this bill because it will kill this bill. Period,” Murkowski told ME. Remember a package of the extenders nearly made it into year-end spending legislation in 2019.