Wireless Age Communications, Inc. (fka WLSA)

[EDWARD STEVENSON]

Clean, Efficient, American Energy.

To put people back to work today and reduce our dependence on foreign oil tomorrow, we are seeking to double our renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient. The energy provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law by President Obama on February 17, will create more than 500,000 jobs, and accelerate deployment of smart grid technology, provide energy efficiency funds for the nation’s schools, offer support for the nation’s governors and mayors to tackle their energy challenges, and establish a new loan guarantee program to keep our transition to renewable energy on track during the economic crisis.

"… this approach is a win-win for a strong economy and a healthier environment. With green investments of close to $100 Billion, this bill will create good jobs for people here in America and reduce our dependence on dirtier energy sources. The Sierra Club praises Congress for promoting the shift to wind and solar power, high energy performance low carbon cars and buildings, mass transit, and a modernized water and transportation infrastructure." [Sierra Club, 2/11/09]

“..this economic recovery package …will deliver jobs and green infrastructure to America. The bill makes smart investments that will jumpstart the economy, help sustain future growth, and meet the challenges of the 21st century… The recovery package includes bold investments for renewable energy and efficiency… Renewable energy grants will help struggling businesses cope with the economic climate and advance technology that harnesses the power of the wind and sun…The economic recovery package reflects the commitment by Congress to fulfill President Obama’s vision for a clean energy future.”[Natural Resources Defense Council, 2/13/09]

Smart Grid /Advanced Battery Technology/Energy Efficiency ($34 billion)

•Smart Grid: Transforms the nation’s electricity systems through the Smart Grid Investment Program to modernize the electricity grid to make it more efficient and reliable. This will jumpstart smart grid demonstration projects in geographically diverse areas, increase federal matching grants for smart grid technology (20% to 50%) including “Smart Meters” that give consumer more choice in their energy consumption at home, and spur research and development. Build new power lines that can transmit clean, renewable energy from sources throughout the nation. ($11 billion)
•Renewable Energy Power: Guarantees up to $60 billion in loans for renewable energy power generation and electric transmission projects that begin in the next two years. These guaranteed loans would help ease credit constraints for renewable energy investors and spur new private sector investment over the next three years. ($6 billion)
•Advance Battery Technology: Supports U.S. development of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems through loans and grants so that America can lead the world in transforming the way automobiles are powered. Also includes other initiatives to promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles by the federal government. ($2.3 billion)
•State and Local Energy Programs: Helps state and local governments make investments for innovative best practices to achieve greater energy efficiency and reduce energy usage, including building and home energy conservation programs, energy audits, fuel conservation programs, building retrofits, and "Smart Growth" planning and zoning. Also encourages states to align their utility regulation with energy efficiency goals and to adopt updated energy-efficient building codes. ($6.3 billion)
•Energy Efficient Appliance Rebates: Provides consumer rebates to buy energy efficient appliances to replace old ones to lower energy bills. ($300 million)
•Energy Research: Spurs energy efficiency and renewable energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities at universities, companies, and national laboratories to foster energy independence, reduce carbon emissions, and cut utility bills. ($2.5 billion)
•ARPA-E: Invests in the Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to support high-risk, high-payoff research into energy sources and energy efficiency in collaboration with private industry and universities. ($400 million)
•Carbon Capture & Sequestration: Makes key investments in carbon capture and sequestration technology demonstration projects to work toward making coal part of the solution and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from industrial facilities and fossil fuel power plants. ($3.4 billion)
•Training for Green Collar Jobs: Invests in training of workers for green-collar jobs. ($500 million)
•Other Energy Efficiency Investments: Invests in other energy efficiency programs, including alternative fuel trucks and buses, transportation charging infrastructure, and diesel emissions reduction. ($1 billion)

...Tax Incentives to Spur Energy Savings and Green Jobs ($20 billion over 10 years)

•Tax Credit for Renewable Energy: Extends for three years the production tax credit (PTC) for electricity derived from wind (through 2012) and for electricity derived from biomass, geothermal, hydropower, landfill gas, and waste-to-energy facilities (through 2013).
•Easing Credit Crunch for Renewable Energy: Provides grants of up to 30 percent of the cost of building a new renewable energy facility in 2009 and 2010 or permits that business to claim a 30 percent investment credit instead of a production tax credit.
•Energy Efficient Home Tax Credits: Promotes energy efficient investments in homes by extending and expanding tax credits through 2010 for investments such as new furnaces, energy-efficient windows and doors, or insulation. Increases the credit from 10 percent to 30 percent of the cost of the investment and raises the credit cap from $500 to $1,500, saving American families money on their energy bills.
•Plug-in Hybrid Tax Credit: Spurs the next generation of cars by providing a tax credit for families that purchase plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles of up to $7,500.
•Renewable Energy Bonds: Provides clean renewable energy bonds for state and local governments, electric cooperatives and public power companies to finance renewable energy facilities to generate electricity.
•Investment in Advance Energy Manufacturing: Establishes a new manufacturing investment tax credit for advanced energy facilities, such as facilities that manufacture components for the production of renewable energy, advanced battery technology, and other innovative next-generation green technologies.
•Alternative Fuel Pumps: Increases incentives to install pumps that dispense alternative fuels including E85, biodiesel, hydrogen, and natural gas. More of these fuel pumps are needed for consumers with flex-fuel and alternative fuel vehicles.

http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/legislation?id=0273#energy