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Thousands to lose jobs if Obama closes renewable energy grants

If President Obama’s final tax package doesn’t include grants for  renewable energy projects, the industry expects hundreds or perhaps thousands of solar and wind workers to add to already-lengthy unemployment lines.

Obama Tax Deal Leaving Out Clean Energy, Putting Jobs at Risk Reuters,   By Elizabeth McGowan,  Wed Dec 8, 2010 Thus far, 1,179 solar projects with total investments of $1.3 billion in 42 states have been built with support from an expiring program

WASHINGTON—If President Obama’s final tax package doesn’t include grants for  renewable energy projects, the industry expects hundreds or perhaps thousands of solar and wind workers to add to already-lengthy unemployment lines.

What’s known as the renewable energy convertible tax credit program—or the Treasury grant program—is set to expire by year’s end. And a plan submitted by Senate Finance Committee Max Baucus, D-Mont., to extend the program for a year died over the weekend.

Now leaders from all renewable energy fields are hoping legislators can reach some sort of compromise to keep jobs and projects from being jeopardized. Ideally, they are seeking a two-year extension of the grant program……

Obama Tax Deal Leaving Out Clean Energy, Putting Jobs at Risk | Reuters

December 9, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA