Bipartisan Group Of Lawmakers Unveil Energy Plan As Congress Goes On Recess

Kris Alingod - AHN News Writer
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Seeking to break the deadlock among Democrats and Republicans, a bipartisan group of 10 senators introduced an alternative energy proposal on Friday just as Congress began its August recess.
The group, led by Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), proposes a bill to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The measure also gives Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia the option to allow exploration at least 50 miles off their coasts.
The plan, the New Energy Reform Act of 2008, provides $20 billion for improving fuel-efficiency in cars and proposes that 85 percent of vehicles use non-petroleum based fuel in two decades. (more)