Congress needs to tap an arsenal of tax incentives, research investments and demand-driving mandates to unleash clean energy development in the U.S., Sen. Jeff Bingaman said today.

The Democratic chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, who shepherded sweeping energy legislation out of the panel last year, said it is “essential” Congress give a boost to renewable and low-emission power sources.

Bingaman, D-N.M., outlined his priorities for the energy panel in a speech to the New Democrat Network today. Clean energy — along with revived legislation prompted by last year’s oil spill — is top on the list.

http://fuelfix.com/blog/2011/01/31/jeff-bingaman-u-s-clean-energy-depends-on-tax-incentives-research-investment/