To be effective, an energy bill must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, protect the environment, and take meaningful steps to solve global warming while creating jobs and saving money. H.R. 3221 met these criteria. It set new efficiency standards for appliances, lighting and buildings. It also took important steps toward restoring sound stewardship of public lands and helping America's fish and wildlife, public lands, coasts, and oceans adapt to global warming.

During consideration of H.R. 3221, a comprehensive energy bill, Representatives Tom Udall (D-NM), Todd Platts (R-PA), and Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) introduced an amendment requiring utilities to produce at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. This amendment would save consumers $16.4 billion on energy bills through 2030 and create tens of thousands of new jobs. At the same time, it would slash global warming pollution by 180 million metric tons per year by 2030--equivalent to taking more than 29 million cars off the road.

On August 4, 2007, the House approved the amendment by a 220-190 vote (House roll call vote 827). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. That same day, the House passed H.R. 3221 by a 241-172 vote (House roll call vote 832). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.

In December 2007, after months of negotiations with the Senate, the House took up an amended version of H.R. 6, the original energy bill. The bill raised automobile mileage standards to 35 miles per gallon--the first such increase in more than 30 years--and maintained a renewable electricity standard of 15 percent. H.R. 6 also provided new incentives and standards for energy efficiency and transferred billions of dollars in tax subsidies for the oil industry toward clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The most sweeping and forward-looking of the various energy bills considered by Congress in 2007, H.R. 6 promised to substantially reduce America's dependence on oil, cut global warming pollution, and generate economic growth.

On December 6, 2007 the House voted to pass H.R. 6 by a 235-181 vote (House roll call vote 1140). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. Due to opposition from a minority of senators, both the renewable electricity standard and the clean energy tax package were subsequently stripped from the bill. The House and Senate then passed the scaled-back bill, which was signed into law December 19, 2007.