RNC Begins Energy Platform Discussions, Senate Hearing on Natural Gas in Transportation, "No More Solyndras" Bill Up Again

The Republican National Committee met Monday to discuss the foundation of its energy platform for the upcoming national convention in August. Lobbyists from industry sectors such as coal, gas, wind, and electric utilities were all present at the event, which was merely "a very casual discussion" at this point, according to one attendee. The main focus of the meeting was to get an idea of broad ideas to be refined in the coming weeks leading up to Tampa and the Republican National Convention.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will be looking into the role natural gas can play in transportation fuel during a hearing today. The main topics of discussion will be current investments in the industry as well as potential opportunities and barriers to expanding the technology. Although there is no legislation up for discussion on the topic, the meeting is meant to get the ball rolling on a new fuel source of which the U.S. has discovered an abundance. While the trucking industry has already found some early successes using natural gas, technology in the commercial sector also require a bit more development and exploration before becoming mainstream.

The "No More Solyndras" bill is up once again for a vote after a slight delay to review several amendments of the legislation. The bill has been targeting the failed solar technology company and is meant on an attack on the DOE Loan Guarantee program for the renewable industry. Although the minor examples of failed businesses like Solyndra are few and far between relative to the successes of the whole program, the Republicans continue to push the dead-end bill in the House, despite a few of their own members' reservations about killing the program outright.