In addition to the higher fuel economy, the Senate-passed bill also requires an increase of ethanol use to 36 billion gallons a year by 2022, a nearly sixfold increase over expected 2007 production. It also requires new efficiency standards for appliances, light bulbs and commercial buildings.

But Democrats were stymied in an attempt to pass a tax package that would have rolled back $13.5 billion in oil company tax breaks and funneled billions of dollars into tax incentives for renewable energy development and efficiency programs.

Even though there were no new tax incentives or subsidies for wind and solar, some say the bill restores credits for producing solar power. We'll see. Overall, many Americans feel that the lack of support for renewables could not have been more disappointing or short-sighted.

Energy Bill Must Guarantee Real Oil Savings
Union of Concerned Scientists

Energy in Washington: Licking our Wounds for Another Fight
Inside Renewable Energy

U.S. Senate Approves Scaled Back Energy Bill
Environment News Servic