Clean Energy In the News

Environmentalists and energy experts are looking forward to seeing large portions of the federal government’s stimulus package approved by Congress because it appears likely to target lots of money for cleanups of industrial pollution, supporting renewable energy, and financing energy efficiency and weatherization programs.

“With this economic recovery package, Congress took the first step down the road to a new clean energy economy for America,” said Chris Kearns of Environment Rhode Island, an advocacy group. “This bill will deliver more secure energy in the long term, less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing and more good jobs right here at home.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act probably will change as it makes its way through the Senate this week, and then through a conference committee for the House and Senate following that.

But at the end of last week, the bill approved by the House included $37.9 billion for energy efficiency, $27.8 billion for renewable energy, and $14.6 billion for public transit and clean transportation, according to Kearns’ group.

The group also applauded efforts to approve an amendment that added $3 billion for public transit funding.

Also, last week U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin was appointed to serve on a new congressional coalition created to generate national energy and environmental policies aimed at helping to create a “green collar” economy.

The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition is headed by U.S. Reps. Jay Inslee, D-Washington, and Steve Israel, D-New York. It met with Carol Browner, assistant to the president, last week to discuss energy and climate policy.

Langevin was appointed co-chair for membership.

The group, with 35 founding members, began meeting during the last Congress to advance policies that promote clean energy technology innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, create green-collar jobs, help stop global warming and protect the country’s natural resources.

Langevin’s office confirmed that the stimulus bill includes $800 million for Superfund program cleanup projects across the country supervised by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The projects remove hazardous substances from the land and water and provide assistance to local residents who are affected.

The bill also includes $200 million for the EPA’s Leaking Underground Storage Tanks Program.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s office also reported the legislation includes $6 billion for local drinking water and clean water infrastructure projects.