Sen. Max Baucus and Sen. Jon Tester Vote to Support the “Green Stimulus Bill”

…But unfortunately, the bill loses by 1 vote.

Montana Senator Max Baucus and Senator Jon Tester recently voted in support of including green tax incentives to foster clean, renewable energy within the context of the economic stimulus package that recently moved through Congress. 

Unfortunately, the alternative green stimulus package (authored by Sen. Baucus, chair of the Senate Finance Committee) failed to pass the Senate by one vote - and presidential candidate John McCain did not vote. 

This is the third time in the past seven months that these clean energy tax incentives have been (narrowly) blocked in Congress.  The bill would have extended the tax credits for renewable energy investments that are set to expire at the end of 2008.

In late February, the House redoubled its efforts on the clean energy tax package and passed the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act by a vote of 236-182. Rep. Dennis Rehberg again voted against the conservation position with his no vote. 

Though the bill in its current form faces long odds in the Senate and is under a veto threat from the White House, it seeks to repeal $18 billion of tax breaks for oil and gas producers (doled out by Republicans in the abysmal 2005 Energy Bill) and use the savings to finance tax incentives for wind-power projects, solar panels, and more energy-efficient cars.

More Information

Read the Sierra Club’s press release on the "green stimulus" vote.

Read a Gristmill Blog commentary on the recent vote (2/6/08)

Read "House Votes To Repeal Oil Tax Breaks, Finance Renewables" for information on the 2/26 House vote.