washington u.s. senate wednesday begin debate country first major energy bill eight years feature measure aim protect electric power grid cyber attack speed export liquefy natural gas alaska senator lisa murkowski republican chair senate energy committee washington senator maria cantwell rank democrat urge lawmakers thwart passage bipartisan bill clear panel 18-4 vote handful senators plan file amendments bill spur legislative action water crisis flint michigan address contentious energy issue aid say democratic senators gary peters debbie stabenow michigan plan offer amendments lay legislative response flint emergency would provide detail amendments republican senator orrin hatch utah western lawmakers expect offer amendment would make hard u.s. interior department move forward moratorium coal development federal land introduce month let show senate work let go crazy bunch ancillary things cantwell say senate floor murkowski say bill result year work committee members find common grind handful key priorities find common grind many areas perhaps us expect murkowski say bill focus energy efficiency infrastructure supply accountability conservation measure include expedite permit lng project natural gas pipeline permit boost hydropower production improve defenses cyber attack electric grid murkowski cantwell try craft bill could pass bipartisan support election year december congress vote repeal 40-year-old ban export crude oil republican policy priority deal also include democratic goal extend tax break boost renewable energy five years bipartisan legislation help bring energy policies line demand today also help position us benefit opportunities tomorrow say senate majority leader mitch mcconnell tell reporters expect complete debate bill next week obama administration say statement support provision legislation concern elements senate start debate broad energy bill