Democrats push green energy plans (Chicago Trib.)

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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-070109energy,1,1186804.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

WASHINGTON -- Democrats are pushing a cleaner, greener energy policy that they will try to drive through the House later this month. But its ultimate outlook is uncertain—and so is its impact.

As part of their 100-hour strategy to pass high-profile legislation, House Democratic leaders want to do away with billions of dollars in oil industry tax incentives and force oil companies to pay higher royalties on Gulf of Mexico leases. The extra money would be used to give a dramatic boost to renewable energy sources.

This shift in energy policy has been widely hailed by organizations that stress renewable and alternative sources of energy such as bio-fuels, solar and wind power. Energy efficiency and conservation groups also hope for more money. Although President Bush increasingly has talked about development of such energy sources, funding has been spotty.

"This was never particularly important to Tom DeLay ," said Randall Swisher, executive director of the American Wind Energy Association.

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