Dems’ energy policy: If you can’t beat ‘em, force it on ‘em

By Brian Johnson

With the “cash-for-caulkers” bill, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act (HR 5019), passing the House and making its way through the Senate, there have been substantiated rumors that Senate Democrats will try to expand the scope and incorporate additional “job creating” measures. They claim a federally mandated Renewable Energy Standard (RES) will do the trick.

The Hill reports that Senate Leader Harry Reid has said he would support a “smaller” bill similar to the legislation the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved last June with four GOP votes. The key component of the Committee passed bill was a RES that mandates all states get 25 percent of their energy from “renewable” sources, defined by the government, by 2025. Read more