DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

The US House of Representatives has passed an energy bill that clears the way for offshore oil drilling outside a 50-mile boundary. The new bill, which was put forward by the Democrats, was approved by 236 votes to 189. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the bill marked "a new direction in energy policy" because of its emphasis on alternative energy. The bill would provide tax credits for renewable energy and energy efficiency that would be funded by repealing some tax breaks for the oil industry. House Republicans criticised the bill as being too restrictive. They had pushed for an unconditional lifting of the 27-year-old ban on offshore drilling without the 50-mile boundary proposed by Democrats. The bill could face rejection in the Senate and a veto by the White House.