In an attempt to focus on passing a budget for fiscal year 2014, Congress has decided to table an already delayed Senate vote on the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 1392) that was scheduled to take place the last week in September. The bill, originally introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) in March and then revised and reintroduced in July, proposes the most significant energy legislation since the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140). The bill focuses on measures to encourage and support energy efficiency and conservation, particularly in buildings and industrial processes. Both senators expect the vote to resume after the budget crisis. The current fiscal year ends on September 30, 2013.

Sources: Energy & Environment Daily, the Government Printing Office, the Library of Congress