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The long-awaited Energy Bill has been passed by both the House and Senate and now hinges upon ability of the six conferees to hammer out a compromise version.
 
While both the House and Senate versions, (H. 4373 and S. 2468, respectively) contain provisions that will increase the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy, there are a few concerns which remain to be addressed.
 
Coal Gasification:  Coal gasification--the creation of gas from pulverized coal which is then burnt to create energy--is given a special incentive in both the House and Senate versions of the bill.  The House version, however,  contains much less ambitious language concerning CO2 emissions, and most climate activists support the tougher Senate language, which limits these plants to emissions similar to those of a new combined-cycle gas plant.
 
Home Energy Audits:  The Senate bills contains a section (section 4) that would make home energy information part of the stadard time-of-purchase home inspection.  MCAN supports this language, as it will help consumers understand the changes they can make to their homes to improve their energy efficiency as well as comfort and home value.

The final senate version of the Energy bill, with amendments, is available here:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/185/st02/st02468.htm. 

The house version is here: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/185/ht04/ht04373.htm.