The Senate has started floor debate on a sweeping energy bill, which, if enacted, would be the first comprehensive energy legislation to make it through Congress since 2007.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), seeks to increase buildings’ energy efficiency, modernize the electric grid and expedite exports of liquefied natural gas. The measure, also backed by the energy panel’s top Democrat, Maria Cantwell (Wash.), cleared the committee in July.