Earth Equity News

Stimulus Bill Features Benefits for Residential Energy-Efficiency Improvements. By H. Josef Hebert, AP, February 5, 2009. "The $900 billion economic recovery package before Congress includes more than $50 billion in energy-related grants, tax breaks and loan guarantees to spur solar and wind energy development and to cut energy use in everything from government buildings to schools and homes. 'This far outstrips any previous federal funding for such programs,' says Kateri Callahan, president for the Alliance to Save Energy, an energy conservation advocacy group. While the recovery package is touted as a stimulus to create thousands of 'green energy' jobs, the average homeowner could be among those who will reap major benefits. Both the House-passed stimulus package and the Senate version include $4.3 billion in tax breaks for residential energy-efficiency improvements including the purchase of more-efficient furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioners as well as for energy-tight windows and more insulation. There's another $300 million to go to states as matching grants to promote utility-sponsored rebates for the purchase of more energy-efficient appliances, and tax breaks for people wanting to install solar panels to power water heaters."