Companies clamor for Congress to extend grant that propped up renewable power in recession
By APSaturday, August 28, 2010
Cash grant that propped up alt power due to expire
BOISE, Idaho — The renewable power industry has gotten a lifeline over the past 18 months with $5.1 billion in federal grants for wind, solar and geothermal projects.
Just this week, GE Energy Financial Services broke ground on a $500 million wind project in southern Idaho — a facility General Electric says wouldn’t have been possible without the grants that were in the 2009 federal stimulus act.
But they’re expiring this year, so GE and others are pushing Congress to keep the money flowing until 2012.
Two measures are in front of the U.S. House and Senate.
Industry officials fear infighting between Democrats and Republicans could complicate matters.
Still, U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, an Idaho Republican, says he’s optimistic even deficit-leery conservatives in Washington, D.C. will get on board.
