Democrats Might Have a 60-Vote Bloc on Energy, After All

Despite the fact that Democrats didn’t reach that magical number of 60 filibuster-proof seats in the Senate, they might be able to get a lot done without interference from staunch business-first Republicans after all. Democrats currently have 56 seats with a few still undecided, and both candidates in Oregon are pro-clean-energy. Beyond that, there may be as many as half a dozen Republicans willing to reach across the aisle and help pass important clean energy legislation.

From The Wall Street Journal:

New Energy Finance says that could include both Republican senators from Maine, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. Ms. Snowe worked with California Democrat Diane Feinstein on energy-efficiency and solar-power incentives. Ms. Collins is a true “all of the above” energy advocate, supporting biofuels, tougher fuel-economy standards, and a national renewable-energy standard.

Longtime Republican senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and John Thune of South Dakota are both big-time ethanol supporters. And as prairie-state senators, they have both become vocal advocates of federal support for renewable energy, especially wind power. In Nevada, Republican Sen. John Ensign worked with Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell to bolster federal support for alternative energy.

Other possibilities include incoming Republican Senator Jim Risch, and Obama’s former opponent John McCain.

This help from Republicans won’t necessarily come across for all issues, especially cap-and-trade schemes. But, it will make all the difference in moving forward the way we need to in order to properly address the energy crisis, global warming and the economy all at once.

Link [The Wall Street Journal]
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

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