"The nation that leads in the creation of a clean-energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy. I urge members of the House to come together and pass it," President Obama was quoted as saying by Autonews.
The bill will allow for the creation of a cap-and-trade system requiring power plants, oil refineries and manufacturers to obtain allowances for the pollution they emit. The Energy Department will also have to consider helping automakers buy American built batteries for their vehicles.
The most important provision of the bill is that it allows the government to give financial support to companies which need to retool or build facilities to produce electric vehicles. Not to mention it would be a great addition to the recently passed mileage regulations.
According to the bill's provisions, electric utilities would be required to support the development of EVs. This means the introduction of charging stations at parking garages, parking lots, homes, gasoline stations and highway rest stops.
The bill, endorsed by reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Ed Markey, D-Mass., has already been approved by House Energy and Commerce Committee last month. President Obama asked for a final vote on the bill before July 4, when the House enters recess.
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