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U.S. Senate passes energy bill

Four years after President Bush called for an overhaul of the nation`s energy agenda, Congress presented him with a mammoth plan he said he was eager to sign - even though it costs twice as much as he wanted and won`t open an Alaska wildlife refuge to oil drilling.

The Senate passed the mammoth legislation with broad bipartisan support, 74-26, ending years of congressional stalemate over energy. It will funnel billions of dollars to energy companies, including tax breaks and loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants, clean coal technology and wind energy.

It had breezed through the House a day earlier.

Some senators said the bill, despite its broad sweep, does nothing to reduce the high cost of energy, especially at the gasoline pumps, and will not reduce the country`s heavy reliance on oil imports. Its supporters maintained that in the long-term it will refocus the country`s energy priorities and promote cleaner energy and more conservation.