Dive Brief:

• An energy efficiency bill has made it through the first procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate, after a 79-20 vote in favor of it being considered. This is the second time the bill has come before the Senate after it failed to go anywhere following a Republican-led blockade late last year.
• The bill, sponsored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), calls for sweeping energy efficiency reforms, including new building codes, support for manufacturers to boost efficiency, and more training for construction workers on energy saving technology. The bill also seeks to increase federal agencies' energy conservation efforts. 
• If the bill makes it through, it could save $13.5 billion annually as well as preventing 533 million tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. 

Dive Insight:

Unfortunately, this piece of legislation may be doomed, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid predicts that Republicans will mount an effort to block the bill again, despite ongoing negotiations to bring amendments to the bill. Already, Reid has agreed to amendments that allow votes on five priority issues for Republicans, including a vote on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which the Obama administration has delayed due to growing environmental concerns about its construction.

When Republicans asked for further amendments on Monday, Reid accused the group of changing their demands to stall the bill.

“It’s laughable to say it’s obstructionism to allow the minority to have five or six amendment votes," responded Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The bill currently has 10 new bipartisan amendments since it failed to pass last year.