An energy bill for the United States government has cleared its first committee on its way to discussion by the US Congress. The bill falls short of President Obama’s targets, nominating an emissions reduction target of 17% and generation of 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. The 2050 target in the bill is set at 85% below 2005 levels. President Obama also called for the auctioning of emissions permits to fund renewable energy programs and compensate consumers for higher energy prices. Negotiations have resulted in 60% of those targets being given to major polluters. The bill favours existing renewable energy sources, such as wind. The bill will be reviewed by a number of committees before it is presented to Congress.