A US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved a comprehensive energy package that includes a requirement for utilities to generate 15% of electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind power by 2021. But because the bill also contains concessions for drilling off of Florida¡¯s gulf coast, it is likely to face quite a battle on the larger Senate floor, where several lawmakers pledged to seek major changes.

During his presidential campaign, U.S. President Barack Obama set a goal to generate 25% of power from renewable energy by 2025. The energy bill is far less aggressive and directs power plants to produce 3% of their output from renewables between 2011 and 2013 and then increasing the amount to 15% between 2021 and 2039. Feelings on this measure are mixed to say the least: some lawmakers have attacked the panel¡¯s renewable power mandate as too lenient, while others claim its measures will hurt states without much solar or wind resources.