Earth Equity News

Obama Offers Some Economic Green Stimulus Specifics. By Peter Nicholas, LATimes, January 25, 2009. "President Obama, offering the first specifics on a key element in his $825-billion stimulus package, said Saturday that it would add 3,000 miles of electric transmission lines and double the nation's use of wind and solar power within three years. But he pressed ahead in the face of continued Republican resistance to his ideas. And some Republicans rejected Obama's claim that he is open to their initiatives, renewing complaints that GOP proposals were being brushed aside as the administration and congressional Democrats hammered out details of the massive legislative package... The White House says the package, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, will modernize 10,000 schools, improving the classroom setting for 5 million children. A centerpiece is alternative energy. Obama is proposing to reduce energy costs by weatherizing 2 million homes and 75% of all federal buildings. The president wants the nation to generate as much renewable energy in three years as it developed in the previous 30, according to the White House. Six million homes could be powered by the new energy supplies Obama has promised. With less than a month before the issue is decided, the prospects for bipartisan cooperation seem to be receding."