After a great deal of political posturing, the Senate passed its version of the stimulus bill yesterday.
Within the bill are several important measures aimed at increasing our energy security, encouraging investment that will create new green jobs and start to addresss climate change. Given the last eight years of inaction on these fronts, Warm Home Cool Planet is hoping that this spending–which adds up to just under $100 billion of the $815 billion approved–will prove to any doubters that the interests of business and the environment can be mutual. Indeed, it would be impossible for one to have much of a future without the other.
As with all things political nothing is settled until the ink is dry on President Obama’s signature. There are some significant differences between the Senate Stimulus bill and the one passed by the House last month. Here’s the breakdown on energy spending for the respective bills. How those differences are resolved will decide how good the Stimulus Package is for our economy–and our planet.
The President has already made his feelings known on energy efficiency provisions within the bill. From yesterday’s press conference on the Stimulus package:
“When people suggest that, ‘What a waste of money to make federal buildings more energy-efficient.’ Why would that be a waste of money?
We’re creating jobs immediately by retrofitting these buildings or weatherizing 2 million Americans’ homes, as was called for in the package… that right there creates economic stimulus. We are saving taxpayers when it comes to federal buildings potentially $2 billion. In the case of homeowners, they will see more money in their pockets… we’re reducing our dependence on foreign oil in the Middle East. Why wouldn’t we want to make that kind of investment?
Warm Home Cool Planet encourages you to contact your local members of Congress and make your voice heard. Here in Cambridge, our House member is Michael Capuano, the former mayor of Somerville.
To find your local member/s, go here and type in your zip code.