Report: Reid mulling broader energy bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is open to broadening the energy package that has been delayed until after the August recess, according to a news report.

Reid told the publication Greenwire on Wednesday that, “There's a chance we're going to bring a broader bill.”

The oil-spill and energy bill that Reid has put off until September at the earliest focused on home efficiency retrofits, natural gas-powered trucks and electric cars.

But Reid is under pressure from some Democrats to bring a more expansive bill to the floor.

In particular, Democrats such as Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Mark Udall (Colo.) and Byron Dorgan (N.D.) want a requirement that utilities supply escalating amounts of electricity from wind, solar and other renewable sources.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is still fighting to salvage plans to cap greenhouse gases, although chances of a climate bill moving are considered remote.

Jim Manley, a spokesman for Reid, declined to comment on any changes that might be in the offing, but noted “we have some time to work on next steps.”

Reid hinted Tuesday that the bill could be changed before it resurfaces. He appeared at a press conference with several other senators when announcing the oil-spill and energy bill would not come up this week and instead would be delayed until some time after the August recess.

“These three chairmen are going to continue to work. We're going to listen to people during the August recess. And we are going to continue fighting for energy legislation before we leave this Congress,” Reid said.

He spoke flanked by Kerry, who heads the Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.).