Climate and energy

So what IS happening in Congress with that Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind and solar? How can so many politicians support it, yet mysteriously it never gets passed? According to US News & World Report:

Today, ironically, there is overwhelming bipartisan support for the incentives—even Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, a conservative Republican and vocal global warming skeptic, is a strong proponent. Few consider the tax credits’ estimated price tag of about $8.2 billion a significant drain on the federal budget, especially in light of the measurably larger incentives awarded to oil and coal. In fact, a recent study by General Electric found that the tax credits more than pay for themselves, because they create jobs and profits, resulting in 2007 in a net gain of $250 million for the federal treasury. Also, the American public is behind them: About 94 percent of Americans support government development of solar energy.

It is tempting to think that all this goodwill would have presaged easy passage. But Congress, despite its pledges of support, has lately ground into something of a stalemate, and on multiple occasions in the past few months it has defeated or blocked bills that would have salvaged the credits.

At the moment, the main obstacle to progress seems to be a philosophical one. House Democrats, led by the so-called Blue Dog Democrats, a group of fiscally minded moderates, have insisted that the cost of the credits be offset by savings elsewhere. Their solution, which would raise taxes on offshore companies, has rankled Senate Republicans, who insist that no offsets are needed in the first place. And so a parliamentary standoff has unfolded. Twice the Senate attempted to attach an amendment to the now recently passed housing relief bill that would have renewed the credits; twice it was stripped out by the House. Meanwhile, a House bill with similar aims was defeated last week by a Senate Republican filibuster.

Supposedly there will be a vote before the August recess.

For CEP’s information sheet on the PTC, click here (.pdf).

Energy editorial - Kansas Electric Cooperatives executive vice-president and Kansas Energy Council Electricity Committee chairman Stuart Lowry offers a thoughtful look at some of the energy choices facing Americans today (Salina Journal).

Water and energy in the Arkansas River Basin. Been too busy to take a good look at this myself – but check out this very interesting presentation via DOE/EERE’s Windpowering America. Important re the ongoing Colorado/ Kansas water debates.

When big business and environmental organizations work together. Interesting new trend (USAToday). Missouri’s deal between KCPL and Sierra Club for a new coal plant is mentioned.

Via CEP’s Eileen – graphic on household energy hogs – hello, water heater (NPR).

Plug for CEP’s parent organization, the Land Institute in Salina KS. Make plans now to attend the 2008 Prairie Festival in Salina, Kansas!! Dates are September 26-28. For details and schedule, click here.

Author Barbara Kingsolver will be one of the honored guests. Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson will speak as well. So will renowned environmental historian Donald Worster.

— Maril Hazlett, www.climateandenergy.org