H.R. 5927: American Energy Independence Act

109th Congress · introduced 2006-07-27 · Energy · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2006-07-27 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD-3] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

American Energy Independence Act

Plain summary

American Energy Independence Act - Establishes the National Commission on Energy Independence to review U.S. energy policy. Amends federal transportation law to provide: (1) phased increases in fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles; and (2) a national tire efficiency program for passenger cars and light trucks. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish Energy Star Program requirements, and an Energy Star rating program for solar water heating devices. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prescribe standards for household appliances in standby mode. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the energy efficient commercial buildings deduction; (2) extend the timeframe for placing into service production facilities for renewable electric energy; and (3) establish a tax credit for telecommuting. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to prescribe: (1) a federal renewable portfolio standard; and (2) special rules for net metering. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an investment tax credit for the construction of new electricity transmission lines to carry electricity from renewable energy resources. Authorizes loan guarantees for biorefineries and renewable energy production facilities. Directs the President to take measures to ensure decreased electricity consumption for federal nondefense related activities. Requires design phases for future federal buildings to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating standard. Prescribes guidelines governing the fuel economy of the federal fleet of vehicles. Requires executive agency motor purchases to include high-efficiency vehicles, or hybrid electric vehicles. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize appropriations for basic research at the Department of Energy (DOE). Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to prescribe organization guidelines for mathematics, science, and engineering education programs. Authorizes DOE research grants for early career scientists and engineers to pursue independent research. Establishes: (1) the Advanced Research Projects Authority-Energy; and (2) the Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Energy Technologies. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate transit-oriented development corridors in urbanized areas; and (2) award transit grants for transit facilities, bicycle transportation, and pedestrian walkways in a transit-oriented development corridor. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to increase and extend weatherization assistance. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a grants program, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees for commercialization of new: (1) renewable energy technologies; (2) technologies for energy generation from fossil fuels that incorporate carbon sequestration; and (3) energy efficiency technologies.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

American Energy Independence Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD-3] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-109hr5927.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/109/hr>

Record fed-us-cong109-hr5927 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109