The bill, which the Senators approved in an 85-12 vote, is considered the most ambitious energy bill to be approved by the body since the administration of former President George W. Bush.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican and chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said the bill would help bring the United States "one step closer to being an energy superpower."
"At the same time, it will help Americans save more money and save energy with all of the energy-policy provisions," she said.
That sounded good to Sen. Maria Cantwell, of Washington state, the senior Democrat on the panel.
She predicted the bill will go a long way to improving consumer's and businesses' access to cleaner -- and more affordable -- renewable energy.
In addition to enhancing the prospects for solar, wind and geothermal agency, the bill also calls for updating building codes to improve the energy efficiency and to strengthen the safety standards of the nation's electricity grid.
The energy efficiency measure requires all federal building to meet efficiency standards set by President Obama. He has established a goal of a 25 percent reduction in energy use over the next decade.
The bill also reauthorizes a $500 million Land and Water Conservation Fund intended to protect public lands, including the nation's national parks.
The last time Congress passed a far-ranging energy bill was in 2007. That bill boosted fuel economy standards and imposed a mandate for ethanol in gasoline.
The bill now has to be reconciled with a far different bill passed by the house, which is far more favorable to the fossil fuel industry. But Murkowski said she's confident negotiators can craft a compromise bill before the end of the year.
President Obama has said that if it crossed his desk he will veto the House bill.
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