Energy Policy: Comprehensive Energy Legislation (H.R. 6) in the 109th Congress

• Main Authors: Bamberger, Robert L., Behrens, Carl E.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service. 2005
• Subjects: Energy; Energy policy - Law and legislation; Arctic
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6632/

The House passed H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, on April 21, 2005 (249-183). The legislation includes a “safe harbor” provision to protect methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) refiners from product liability suits, which was retained after a close vote on an amendment to drop the language (213-219). In the 108th Congress, there was opposition to this provision in the Senate. It is unclear how its inclusion may affect Senate passage of an energy bill in the 109th Congress. House Republicans have indicated that a compromise will be sought to satisfy the other body. Language in the House-passed bill would also authorize opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to exploration and development. An amendment to delete the ANWR provisions from H.R. 6 was defeated (200-231).