111th Congress:  Action on Energy

I am pleased to support legislation and take actions that will support energy independence and initiatives, particularly those that are spearheaded by Idahoans. This is not a comprehensive list of all the legislation I have co-sponsored related to energy. You can view a comprehensive list at the Legislation Co-Sponsored Section of this site or through the Library of Congress Thomas site.

Action items in the 111th Congress:

• During consideration of the FY 2010 Budget Resolution, I offered an amendment to include a reserve fund to support an additional $50 billion in Loan Guarantee authority for Advanced Clean Energy Generation Technologies within the Department of Energy’s Innovative Loan Guarantee program.  That amendment was adopted unanimously. 
• In May of 2009, I partnered with Senator Bill Nelson of Florida to introduce legislation that would ensure that algae-based biofuels would receive the same tax treatment as cellulosic ethanol.  The tax incentives in this legislation will provide algae with a level-playing field and will be an important factor in enhanced development and eventual commercialization.  These fuels are renewable, have a low-carbon footprint, and can fit seamlessly into our existing energy infrastructure.  Additionally, algae does not compete for arable land or potable water.  Algae-based renewable fuels will play an important role in America’s clean energy portfolio, and provide an answer to the question of how we will decrease our dependence on foreign oil and increase our domestic security. 
• In May of 2009, I wrote the Secretary of Energy requesting that the Administration aggressively invest in research and development for hydrothermal geothermal systems as part of its expanded focus on geothermal energy exploration and development.

Other actions I have taken to support Idaho energy initiatives include:

• Successfully encouraged additional funding for INL cleanup in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
• Led Idaho congressional delegation efforts to oppose Administration plans to de-fund Yucca Mountain repository.
• Successfully provided funding for critical Idaho energy projects.

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