Legislation that could get a U.S. Senate vote as soon as next week aims to boost energy storage technology as well as nuclear and renewable power — but avoids more aggressive steps to fight climate change sought by Democrats. The bill, unveiled Thursday by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, represents the latest Republican approach of promoting clean energy while steering clear of mandates to cut emissions of climate-warming gases or stop fossil fuel development on public lands.
The bill is needed “to make a down payment on emissions-reducing technologies,” West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said in a statement. He partnered with Alaska’s Murkowski on the measure, which they said would be on the Senate floor next week.