Environment

How they voted
Last week, two important environmental votes were taken in the U.S. House of Representatives on amendments to House Resolution 6, an energy bill. One of the amendments, introduced by U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, would (if passed) have amended House Resolution 6 to require automakers to increase fuel economy to a “fleet average” of 33 miles a gallon over the next 10 years. Nevada Republican members James Gibbons and Jon Porter voted against requiring the increase, and Nevada Democrat Shelley Berkley voted to require it. The measure died on a 254 to 177 vote.

The second vote came on an amendment sponsored by U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, which (if approved) would have prohibited drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Nevada’s two Republicans, Gibbons and Porter, voted to allow drilling, and Democrat Berkley voted not to allow it. The House voted 231 to 200 to approve drilling.

On the full bill, which passed on a 249 to 183 vote, the Nevada vote breakdown was the same as on the amendments. H.R. 6 must now be approved by the Senate.