Clean Energy Act Passes, $32 B Tax Package & RPS Amendment Rejected

The headlines here read "Republicans kill renewable energy tax credits". Let's use this next election to remove those Senators and Congressmen still in the pockets of big oil.

This again shows that this government is playing into the hands of the rich american oil industry. If this doesn't stop America will never be energy independent and will have to fight more wars all over the middleeast just to secure oil supplies and also to fill coffers of the rich American oil industry. Sep 11 is long forgotten and so is terrorism. America has decided to rely on middleeast oil which finances the terrorists there and at the same time pollute the environment. 30 billion dollars is a small amount compared to the 1 trillion america is expected to spend on Iraq war. Are american sleeping?

did you know there is an industry that bought a race car, sets of battery, and a charging system (with pat. for all of these things) from a small group of inventers that were demonstrating the power of there batteries in a race car proving they could run at high speed long dist race on one charge

this car could run a nascar race on one charge of the batt only needing to stop for tires and washing the windshield   the charging system could fully charge these batt in less then 15 min these batt could hold there charge with over 95% cap for 50 years the charging system was so big it took four flatbeds to move

Here we have a prime example of sick legislation by sick legislatures. I really don't think they are deserving of our trust. This slip-shod legislation is of little or no benefit to our country and these senators have acted in a most shameful way by compromising our country down the corporate controlled oil drain. Where is your intestinal fortitude, senators? Why don't you represent the people who voted you into office? 

No. It seems that oil is your bosom buddy and the people of the US must continue to be treated as subserviant to the oil barons.

adrianakau2aol.com

You know what is really amazing about this.  Harry Reid voted against this...poor poor poor.  Certainly getting closer though, 3 votes from this happening...gives me hope that the discussion will slowly lead to action.

Interesting, but I am not sure I follow.

First of all how does the requirements for the utilities cost money for the treasury?

Second, I we would use $32B in tax credits, that would mean a generated business of at least $100B. So there will be profits to tax, salaries to tax and sales tax. What would the actual net flow of tax money be? Anyone?
Looking for a solution - just impose a federal tax on electricity that equals the $32B ormore to finance also other incentives for renewable energy.

The RPS defeat is a great loss. It would "incentivize" utilities to finally get serious about doing something constructive except raising rates. However, it would also require congress to give direction and not handouts which is way too much to expect from the current group.

Rejecting the tax credits is not about "big oil".  It is simply politics.  The reason you have politicians on both sides voting against this was:

"Under current rules, any tax cuts that decrease tax revenue to the Treasury have to be paid for through some other offsetting measure"

No politician wants to cut spending on any existing program that would negatively impact his or her district to fund the tax cuts for this program.  We shouldn't be waiting on the government to do something we can do better.  Read the other article: Investment trends & the global RE market.

This is something we can count on.  Not politicians.

THREE CHEERS FOR THE CORRUPT CONGRESS!!! They did the right things, even if it was for the wrong reasons.  Tax benefits and renewable portfolio standards would be a complete waste of money until the US first creates a fair power industry like the EU by:1) in regulated markets, offer everyone the same fair price. 2) in deregulated markets, make genuine efforts to create fair competition.

Anything  but implement.  They will continue to put money forth for research.  There is so much research money out there, but what we need is implementation money. There are a lot of really good technologies already out there (Prism Solar, DyeSol) that if implemented now would go a long way toward  achieving energy independence.  But no, we need to study and research.  Stupid lawmakers.

My comment on incentives for alternative fuels has always been the same:  Reduce or eliminate petroleum subsidies, remove tax breaks, let the price of gasoline reflect the REAL cost, watch cellulosic ethanol plants pop up at every landfill/dump site in the country.