Today the opponents of the most far reaching energy bill since 1992 blocked a vote in the Senate on the measure. Republicans tried to move to end debate on the measure failed on a vote of 57 to 40. Sixty votes are needed to end debate and bring a bill up for a regular roll call.

Many in the Republican Party claim that the bill will increase domestic energy production, provide new incentives for renewable fuels, stimulate new investment in the overburdened electricity grid and potentially create 800,000 new jobs. The bill also includes incentives to construct a $20 billion pipeline to carry Alaskan natural gas to the Midwest.

Farmers and Senators from farm states applauded the bill for its orders to double production of ethanol.

Seven Republican opponents joined 32 Democrats and Independent Jim Jeffords of Vermont to block action.

Opponents claim that the bill favors political donors through tax incentives and similar provisions. Opponents of the bill also take issue with its providing a partial liability waiver for producers of the fuel additive methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). Producers of MTBE may soon face billions of dollars in lawsuits over alleged groundwater contamination.

Non-partisan congressional budget analysis has put the price tag for the bill at about $33 billion, including new spending and tax breaks. For this reason Republican fiscal watchdog, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, sharply attacked the bill.