January 26th, 2009
Forget red or blue, is Washington turning green?
More tax breaks for alternative energy could be in the offing. And one of the largest wind farms in planning stage awaits a Presidential yay or nay.
A House committee has just approved a $20 billion dollar alternative energy package. Much of that money would go for tax credits for energy producers. It also gives tax credits for energy conservation, like insulation and more efficient glazing. The bill even nods at the distribution problems for alternative fuels by providing tax credits to any service station installing alternative enregy delivery equipment. Main provisions afffecting individuals: 30 percent uncapped tax credit for buying solar water heating equipment, small wind energy instlllatons or geothermal heat pumps.
This bill is far from passing, and we should logically expect it to die in the Senate. But, we shall see.
BLUE STATE BLUES
Up in Massachussetts, President Obama faces an uncomfortable dilemna. Powerful Dems on opposite sides of the question of whether to approve a gigantic wind farm in federal water off Nantucket Island.
The billion dollar project would put over 100 turbines onto the ocean, each standing over four hundred feet tall. Proponents see jobs, energy and less oil use. Opponents see eyesore and dead seabirds run through the turbine blenders. The Obama Administraton now gets to adjudicate this one.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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