A Very Low Energy Bill

So congress passed, and shrub will sign, an "energy bill" that can only be called "weak." Raising CAFE standards is a good idea, but the 35mpg average by 2020 is nowhere near enough. The bill also drops renewable energy:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House on Tuesday approved an energy bill to increase the fuel efficiency of U.S. cars and trucks for the first time since 1975, boost production of renewable motor fuels like ethanol and cut energy use in light bulbs and appliances.

The Senate approved the same bill last week and President Bush will sign the measure into law Wednesday, the White House said.

To win the backing of Bush and many Republican lawmakers, Democratic congressional leaders had to drop from the bill provisions that would have imposed about $13 billion in taxes on big oil and gas companies and required utilities to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2007/12/us_house_oks_energy_bill_bush.php

With global warming and high oil prices ahead, this feeble effort is disappointing at best. The country desperately needs more wind and solar power, and alternative fuels that are not made from foodstocks. This bill fails to address either.
So all the congress-critters and shrub will smile, pat each other on the back, and congratulate each other for having done "something" about energy. Even though the "something" is only slightly better than "nothing."