Green Options » bail out

Should Obama Send $16 Billion to Bail Out the Amazon?

Gavin Hudson — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:04:34 +0000

Depending on how you look at it, Obama’s meeting with Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva this past weekend could be interpreted as either a first step toward cooperating on biofuel trade or a missed opportunity to protect the Amazon rain forest.

Bailing Out Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Michelle Bennett — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:53:41 +0000

In case you missed the news, the $700B bailout included tax credits for renewable energy industries. So what are the greenest bits of the bill and what does it mean for renewable energy companies? Also, where is all that glorious cash coming from?

Renewable Energy Tax Credits:

Solar energy gets an 8-year extension on existing 30% tax credits for residential and commercial solar installations.

Solar installations for residents and utilities are no longer confined to the US$2,000 monetary cap.
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Ford, GM, Chrysler Set for $25 Billion in Government Loans

Andrew Williams — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:27:18 +0000

Following a meeting earlier this week with House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi, the ‘big three’ US automakers Ford, GM and Chrysler, are optimistic about their prospects of receiving a multi-billion dollar loan. Pelosi told reporters in Washington yesterday that she plans to unveil a $25 billion finance package next week, which will probably be added to a ’stopgap’ government funding bill.

When (and if) finally approved, much of the loan will be used to convert production to smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles, which are increasingly popular in Europe as a result of the escalating energy crisis. The money will also be added to existing U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium grants to help fund the development and manufacture of next-generation battery technology, such as those used in the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt.