Energy Independence and Security Act
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) was originally named the Clean Energy Act. It is an act of Congress that addresses energy policy in the United States. This act was part of the 110th Congress’ Democratic Party’s 100-Hour plan that passed in the House of Representatives without amendment in January of 2007. It was combined with the Senate bill, Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007, and this amended version passed in the Senate in June of 2007. After much negotiations and amendments between the two houses, it passed in both on December 18, 2007 . Even though it was an act largely spearheaded by the Democrats, Repbulican President George Walker Bush signed it into effect on December 19, 2007.
Summary
The main goals of the Energy Independence and Security Act can be described as follows:
– The act seeks to move the United States towards energy independence and security, with less
dependence on petroleum and other foreign sources of energy, and less reliance on unstable
countries for its energy security
– The act seeks to increase the production of clean renewable fuels such as biofuels (ethanol,
methanol, biomass and biodiesel, etc.) and Hydrogen fuel
– This act seeks to protect consumers from the effects of energy dependence and security
– This act seeks to increase the energy efficiency of products that are sold in the U.S. as well as
the energy efficiency of buildings and vehicles
– This act allow for the promotion of research on greenhouse gas capture and how to deploy this,
as well as for its storage options
– This act calls for improvement in the overall energy performance of the Federal Government
– This act calls for an increase in U.S. energy security that includes the developement of
renewable fuel production and improving vehicle fuel economy and efficiency
EISA has other purposes not stated here but the above is a basic summary of what it seeks to do.
Prior to the Energy Independence and Security Act’s passage, it sought to cut subsidies to the petroleum industry. This was proposed as a way of promoting petroleum independence and different forms of alternative energy. After opposition in the Senate, these tax changes were dropped. The bill in its final form focused on automobile fuel economy, development of biofuels, and energy efficiency in public buildings and lighting.
Non-Renewable Fuels
To try to gain more energy independence, EISA seeks to move the U.S. away from its dependence on non-renewable fuels such as those derived from fossil fuels including but not limited to, petroleum, gasoline, and propane, as well as nuclear energy.
Alternative energy sources include solar, wind, tidal and water power to generate electricity.
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