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Senate leaders decided to delay their next attempt to obtain a vote on the Energy Policy Act of 2003 (S. 14/H.R. 6) until Congress reconvenes in January after the holidays, according to Association of American Railroads.

Senators had tried to schedule a second cloture vote – which would end bill debate – before Thanksgiving. A vote held last week came up three short of approval. Earlier this year, the House approved the Bush Administration’s energy bill by a 246-180 vote.

AAR strongly supports enactment of the legislation, which includes a repeal of the 4.3-cents-per-gallon federal fuel tax paid by railroads and barges.

The bill also would establish a public/private partnership to improve locomotive fuel efficiency, provide incentives for developing and introducing clean coal technology, and reauthorize a statute providing liability protection for transporting nuclear waste.