WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved a bipartisan amendment sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins of Maine that would reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil by 1 million barrels per day by 2013. The amendment to the energy bill, which is being debated by the Senate, directs the president to adopt economywide efficiency measures to reduce oil consumption.

“Reducing our energy consumption by 1 million barrels per day will help keep energy prices down and will keep billions of American dollars here at home,” said Collins.

The amendment, approved by a vote of 99-1, gives the president discretion in choosing the particular energy savings measures to achieve the savings goal. Likely measures that could be employed include increasing fuel efficiency standards for SUVs, reducing heavy truck idling, and weatherizing homes that use home heating oil.