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USA govt robs renewable energy jobs to pay other jobs

“These rescissions put into jeopardy the green jobs that the administration have touted as part of our clean energy future and put us further behind the rest of the world,” wrote Al Gore

Another $1.5B removed from DOE renewables loan guarantee program to help fund U.S. jobs bill,  Photovoltaics International, 12 August 2010 | By Tom Cheyney | News > Market Watch “…..President Barack Obama signed a $26 billion funding bill passed by the House of Representatives in special session on Tuesday.

What was good news for stuggling public sector employees was not so good for the solar industry. To help fund the bill, the House decided to take $1.5 billion from the coffers originally designated for the Department of Energy’s renewable energy loan guarantee program.

This marks the second time that Congress has taken monies from the loan program, following a $2 billion withdrawal to help extend the “Cash for Clunkers” initiative last summer—monies that have yet to be paid back to the loan fund, despite assurances from lawmakers. As a result of the two reallocations, the program’s account has shrunk to $2.5 billion from the originally budgeted $6 billion……….

Comments from the renewable energy community expressed concern over the latest move.

“These rescissions put into jeopardy the green jobs that the administration have touted as part of our clean energy future and put us further behind the rest of the world,” wrote Al Gore on his blog………….

“The proposed cut makes it likely that manufacturers of commercial renewable technologies will not be able to take advantage of the DOE loan-guarantee program,”

Another $1.5B removed from DOE renewables loan guarantee program to help fund U.S. jobs bill – Photovoltaics International

August 17, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, USA | climate change, energy efficiency, renewables, solar