WASHINGTON, D.C. - On July 14, 2010, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Rural Energy Savings Program Act (H.R. 4785) to encourage energy efficiency projects in rural communities. The bipartisan bill, introduced by House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., and Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., passed the Committee by a voice vote. The committee approved four amendments to the original text, including a manager's amendment from Chairman Peterson and amendments from Reps. Holden, Dahlkemper, Lummis and Luetkemeyer.