THE DALLES, Ore., April 11 (UPI) -- The Senate extended tax credits for renewable energy Thursday, prolonging the economic incentives the renewable industry receives.

The legislation mirrors a bill introduced last week by Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who pushed the action through the Senate as an amendment to the Housing Stimulus Bill. The amendment sailed through with a 88-8 vote, and the Housing bill passed 84-12.

The Production Tax Credit gives facilities 2 cents for every kilowatt-hour of electricity produced from renewable sources, including wind, biomass, geothermal and hydropower.

If passed into law, the PTC extension will further U.S. energy independence by increasing production of homegrown energy, Ensign said in a statement.

"Today, we're hostage to skyrocketing foreign energy prices," Ensign said. "Passage of our amendment today moves us one step closer to meeting the serious challenges we face in ensuring that America can reduce its dangerous reliance on foreign sources of energy."