House Passes Green Energy Bill

Prior to the summer recess, the US House of Representatives took an unprecedented step toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions by passing a bill requiring utility companies to produce 15 percent of their electricity from wind and solar power. The bill will have to be reconciled with a Senate version, which passed last June but is more restrained and emphasizes slightly different priorities.

The bill sailed through the House with a 241-172 vote, despite fervent opposition from big oil and gas companies and the White House, which has threatened to veto the measure.

Twenty-six Republicans crossed party lines to vote for the initiative.

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