Building & Design

US Senators unveiled the latest version of scaled back climate change legislation focusing mainly on reforming offshore drilling – but will also include efficiency rebates for homes and vehicles running on alternative fuels.

The primary aim of the new legislation is to raise the liability cap on oil spill costs, and will be retroactively applied to the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

But the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act will also include HOME STAR legislation, providing incentives for householders to improve the efficiency of their homes.

The third main part of the bill focusing on transport, with $3.8 billion earmarked for alternative-fuel vehicle purchase rebates with a further $500 million could go towards fuelling infrastructure. Ultimately, the legislation could see up to 200,000 alternative fuel vehicles on the road.

Senator Harry Reid has said he will bring the legislation to Senate before the summer recess, but has at least two other bills that he wants to pass.

The Democrats are broadly hopeful of passing the legislation, having given up on gaining enough support for a more comprehensive climate change bill include emission caps and a cap-and-trade scheme

For further information:
http://reid.senate.gov/
www.homestarcoalition.org

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US Senators look set to unveil ‘scaled-back’ climate bill (16-Jul)
Pressure mounts to pass US clean energy legislation (18-Jun)
US Senator introduces alternative climate change bill (10-Jun)
US climate change bill does little for energy efficiency (13-May)