The U.S. House of Representatives passed offshore drilling legislation on Tuesday by a vote of 236-189.

If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act will provide for drilling a minimum of 100 miles from shore. States can approve an exception to bring the boundary in 50 miles.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal)called the bill "significant in ensuring American energy independence and strengthening our national security."

"This energy legislation is the result of reasonable compromise that will put us on the path toward energy independence by expanding domestic supply, protect consumers with strong action to lower the costs of energy and to protect taxpayers by making Big Oil pay for its fair share of our transition to a clean, renewable energy future, ensure a clean, green future through energy efficiency and conservation, and commit America to renewable energy and help create millions of good-paying green jobs."

Republicans described the measure as "another 'no-energy' energy bill."

The bill also includes tax credits and tax cuts aimed at encouraging green technology development. It is unlikely to be taken up by the Senate until after the fall election.