Update 5 Aug 07): Big victory last night! Despite fierce and misleading opposition from utilities led by the notorious Southern Company, the Udall (D-NM) amendment to require that 15% of electricity be derived from renewables passed last night 220-190 (roll call, Public Interest Vote = AYE) in the U.S. House. The Energy bill then passed 221-189 (roll call, Public Interest Vote = AYE)

Original post: It's time to renew American energy. If the House of Representatives gets past procedural squabbles and considers the energy bill today, in a rare Saturday session, the key vote will be on establishing minimum federal renewable energy goals. As U.S. PIRG's Anna Aurilio points out in the Associated Press today: "This is the top priority for the environmental community. It would be a real clean energy breakthrough."

Meanwhile, the many opponents of clean energy, led by the utilities, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Manufacturers, have blanketed Capitol Hill papers with print ads and mobilized hordes of lobbyists, all making the ludicrous claim that the federal renewable energy standards we support are unnecessary and that we should leave this up to the states. Recently, these guys have been fighting a rear-guard action against enactment of renewable energy standards by dozens of states. When they're outside the beltway, their mantras are: "patchwork quilt" and "balkanization." Here in DC, they're claiming that the states would be blocked from further action by the federal bill (wrong) and their mantra is that federal action is wrong because it would be "one-size-fits-all." Can't have it both ways and besides, you're wrong in both places, industry guys. For more on U.S. PIRG's clean energy future campaign, go here.