Some energy related items in the Stimulus Bill gleaned from various news sources...

[jpak]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/14/AR2009021400520.html

Homeowners who add energy-efficient windows, furnaces and air conditioners can get a tax credit to cover 30 percent of the costs, up to a total of $1,500.

<snip>

Energy:

Homeowners looking to save energy, makers of solar panels and wind turbines and companies hoping to bring the electric grid into the computer age all stand to reap major benefits.

The package contains more than $42 billion in energy-related investments from tax credits to homeowners to loan guarantees for renewable energy projects and direct government grants for makers of wind turbines and next-generation batteries.

There's a 30 percent tax credit of up to $1,500 for the purchase of a highly efficient residential air conditioners, heat pumps or furnaces. The credit also can be used by homeowners to replace leaky windows or put more insulation into the attic. About $300 million would go for rebates to get people to buy efficient appliances.

The package includes $20 billion aimed at "green" jobs to make wind turbines, solar panels and improve energy efficiency in schools and federal buildings. It includes $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects as well as tax breaks or direct grants covering 30 percent of wind and solar energy investments. Another $5 billion is marked to help low-income homeowners make energy improvements.

About $11 billion goes to modernize and expand the nation's electric power grid and $2 billion to spur research into batteries for future electric cars.

<snip>

http://uk.reuters.com/article/behindTheScenes/idUKTRE51B7FV20090212

<snip>

The $789 billion package, which now must be approved by both chambers, contains $11 billion for modernizing the U.S. electricity grid and developing so-called smart grids.

<snip>

Aimed at boosting the nation's economy and creating jobs, the legislation also provides $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects such as wind or solar energy development.

<snip>

The stimulus provides $6.3 billion for energy efficiency and conservation grants.

In addition, $5 billion is slated to go toward helping to weatherize homes and $4.5 billion to make federal buildings more energy efficient.

Other energy provision in the stimulus include:

-- $3.4 billion for research and development of fossil energy;

-- $2.5 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy research;

-- $1 billion energy efficiency programs including energy-efficient appliances and trucks and buses that run on alternative fuel.

<end>

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20090213/energy-dpt-paving-way-quick-stimulus-money-expenditure.htm

With the U.S. economic stimulus package of $790 billion set to be approved by Congress, concerns are growing at the Energy Department on how the agency will manage the quick expenditure of about $50 billion included in the package for renewable energy projects meant to boost employment.

Nobel Prize-winning physicist Dr. Steven Chu makes remarks before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources on his nomination to be the next energy secretary in the Obama administration, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, January 13, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Theiler (UNITED STATES) (Reuters

The agency's secretary Steven Chu is making efforts to cut months of procedures and paperwork. To agency employees who said programs needed months of consideration Chu told them 'Tell us what you need to do in order to get them in four weeks,'" according to an interview with the Wall Street Journal published Friday.

Chu has committed to put to run energy programs as quickly as possible, a spokesman for the DOE said last week, estimating to begin to invest as soon as six months after the stimulus is approved.

<more>

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/chris-dannen/techwatch/breaking-down-energy-projects-stimulus

<snip>

According to the House Committee on Appropriations, the House version of the bill reserves "energy" monies for the following project categories.

$11 billion for R&D devoted to the Smart Grid Investment Program and various energy pilot projects
$8 billion for loans for renewable energy plants
$6.9 billion for loans to state and local governments, to help them make general "investments" that will increase their energy efficiency
$8.7 billion to weatherize HUD-sponsored and moderate income housing
$2 billion in loans and grants for battery technology
$1.5 billion for increasing the efficiency of schools and colleges
$300 million in rebates for consumers who buy Energy Star-rated appliances
$1 billion to buy alternative fuel cars for federal, state and local government
$200 million in grants towards electric vehicle research
$2.4 billion for carbon-capture technology to cleanse fossil fuel energy
$350 for the Department of Defense to figure out how to power bases and weapons with renewable energy
$500 million for energy-efficient manufacturing projects
$300 for reducing diesel emissions.

<more>

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090214005005&newsLang=en

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The economic stimulus package just passed by Congress includes strong support for an innovative new solar and energy efficiency financing program that allows property owners to install solar and energy efficiency projects and pay for them over 20 years through a line item on their property tax bills.

This new program overcomes the principal obstacle that has hindered widespread adoption of solar and energy efficiency projects by homeowners and small businesses – the daunting upfront cost. Congress amended the federal tax code to ensure that participants in this program can take full advantage of the 30% solar energy tax credit and authorized the use of Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds to fund the program.

Renewable Funding is the nations’ leader in providing financing and administration for this new solar and energy efficiency program, which is known as CityFIRST – Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology. Over a dozen cities are working on CityFIRST programs in California and Colorado and 10 additional states are working on legislation to authorize similar programs.

A UC Berkeley study published last month in Environment Magazine found the potential for $280 billion in financing for CityFIRST-type programs if expanded across the country.

<more>

[ComtesseDeSpair]

1. "-- $3.4 billion for research and development of fossil energy;"

Um, haven't we been doing that for over a hundred years now? Isn't that what we're trying to get AWAY from?

[Nihil]

2. As long as politicians have tongues and lobbyists have funds, ...

... the usual arse-licking will continue ...
:-(