WASHINGTON, July 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate began debate Thursday on a wide-ranging energy bill passed earlier in the day by the House of Representatives.
The bill gives billions in tax breaks and other incentives to promote energy production from traditional and alternative sources, The Washington Post reported.
The Senate is expected to vote on the measure Friday.
The bill, approved in the House by a vote of 275 to 156, includes $14.5 billion in tax breaks over 10 years -- most of it going to traditional energy interests such as coal, oil, natural gas and utilities, the newspaper said. It also provides incentives for production of alternative sources of energy -- including wind -- and for promoting energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings.
The bill also calls for tax incentives to promote wider use of hybrid cars.
Supporters in the House called the bill a good first step toward energy sources that produce less pollution. Opponents said it does little to help consumers at the fuel pump or to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil.
