Reid introducing pared-down energy and oil bill following collapse of climate legislation

Reid introducing pared-down energy and oil bill

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is introducing energy and oil spill legislation after deciding to give up on a broader bill that would cap greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

The new bill being unveiled Tuesday has more modest goals like encouraging heavy duty trucks to use natural gas and cars to use electricity. It also has provisions aimed at improving oil spill responses and holding spillers accountable, and increasing funding for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.

The bill does not include a renewable electricity standard, despite a last-minute push by some senators, businesses and clean energy advocates. Such a standard would require utilities to produce a certain percentage of their energy from renewable sources.