美國參議院21日晚間通過能源立法，決議在2020年將燃料節約標準提高40%，並且呼籲大量擴展可再生燃料的生產。但最後通過的法案和民主黨原本的期望相差甚遠，因為共和黨議員成功地阻擋了一項計畫，即透過對石油公司增稅，從而提供320億美元的基金用於可再生能源的減稅措施，同時封鎖了要求公用事業從可再生來源生產更多電力的議案。
經過一個禮拜的激烈論戰，最後以65票對27票表決通過，顯示出黨和地方對於國家能源的未來發展有很深的歧見；同時也可以看出電力公司、汽車製造商和石油產業等的遊說力量已經慢慢滲入國會了。
The U.S. Senate passed energy legislation late Thursday night that mandates a 40 percent increase in fuel economy standards by 2020 and calls for a massive expansion of renewable fuels production. But the final bill is far less ambitious than Democrats had originally hoped for, as Republicans successfully derailed a plan that would have funded $32 billion in renewable energy tax breaks by increasing taxes on oil companies and blocked a measure requiring utilities generate more electricity from renewable sources.
The vote, 65-27, came after more than a week of intense debate that demonstrated deep partisan and regional divides over the nation's energy future, as well as the pervasive lobbying power of electric utilities, auto manufacturers and the oil industry.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
